President Trump Secretly Left Türkiye on Military Aircraft Hidden by Catering Truck Amid Fears of Iranian Attack —The Washington Post
International Desk | The Global Journal
Ankara | August 12, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump secretly left Türkiye on a smaller military aircraft instead of the publicly displayed Air Force One after his visit to the country last month, reportedly due to concerns over a potential Iranian attack, The Washington Post has reported. Reuters also cited the newspaper's account in a report on the incident.
According to the report, journalists accompanying Trump were told that the president was aboard Air Force One when he departed Türkiye. In reality, however, Trump was transferred to another military aircraft.
Secret Flight for Security Reasons
After attending a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump had arrived in Türkiye aboard a new Air Force One aircraft reportedly provided by Qatar. On his return journey, however, he was publicly seen boarding the older Air Force One before being secretly transferred to another aircraft for security reasons, according to the report.
The Washington Post reported that after Trump boarded the older Air Force One in front of cameras, he was secretly transported through a catering or food-service truck to a C-32A military aircraft.
According to the report, the military aircraft carrying Trump arrived in the United Kingdom at 10:20 p.m. Shortly afterward, the older Air Force One carrying journalists and other staff landed there.
Concerns Over Iranian Threats
Türkiye shares a land border with Iran, and tensions in the Middle East were escalating at the time. The report said U.S. intelligence agencies had warned of potential risks involving an attack against the president or his aircraft.
Earlier, CBS News reported that U.S. intelligence agencies had warned of specific threats targeting Trump or his aircraft.
White House Response
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung did not directly confirm or deny the report. However, he said that the most advanced security measures had been taken to protect the president and that necessary precautions were being implemented because U.S. adversaries were monitoring the president.
He described the new Air Force One as a “highly sophisticated aircraft” equipped with advanced security measures designed to protect the president and his staff.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, did not immediately comment on the report.
Trump's Explanation for Using the Older Air Force One
Earlier, Trump had said on Truth Social that his decision to travel aboard the older Air Force One was largely connected to nostalgia. He claimed that the new aircraft had stopped in the United Kingdom so that military personnel could view it.
However, according to information reported by The Washington Post, Trump's actual travel arrangements and the decision to transfer him to another aircraft for security reasons were not publicly disclosed.
The incident comes as heightened military tensions between the United States and Iran and concerns over possible retaliation have complicated security arrangements surrounding the U.S. president. The White House has yet to provide a detailed official explanation regarding Trump's reported secret transfer to the military aircraft.
Sources: The Washington Post, Reuters and CBS News
