US President Donald Trump was reportedly secretly flown from Turkey to Britain on a smaller military aircraft last month following an alleged assassination threat from Iran.
According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the operation was carried out during Trump’s visit to Ankara for a NATO summit, while the White House publicly maintained that he was travelling aboard Air Force One.
The Washington Post reported that Trump initially boarded the former Air Force One in view of television cameras but was later transferred to a C-32A military aircraft using an airport catering truck shortly before departure.
A US official reportedly said the move was prompted by a credible threat involving Iran. The New York Times also reported that Trump’s actual location was concealed from journalists and some White House staff travelling with him.
The White House had previously said Trump left Turkey on July 8 aboard the older Air Force One. Trump had also said he would use the aircraft instead of the newer Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar.
The reported operation involved Trump being moved back onto the older Air Force One shortly before its departure, allowing him to appear publicly as though he had travelled on the aircraft throughout the journey.
Journalists travelling with Trump were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in their section closed during the flight. When asked about the instruction, Trump jokingly said they were “probably on a dangerous flight.”
The C-32A reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20pm local time, while the older Air Force One and members of the media arrived separately minutes later. Trump subsequently emerged from the older aircraft at about 10:56pm and greeted reporters and US service members.
White House communications director Steve Cheung defended the security measures, saying the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with high-level security protocols to protect Trump and his staff.
He said the administration used “every tool” available to address threats against the president.