On Wednesday, President Donald Trump disclosed that the Secret Service and military instructed him to switch aircraft after departing from the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8th.
The operation was reportedly initiated following a credible missile threat from Iran, as detected by U.S. intelligence, according to a BBC report.
"I follow the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to take a different flight, a different plane," Trump told reporters during his visit aboard Air Force One at an event in Ohio. "I just have to do what they tell me."
The revelation came a day after the covert operation was publicly unveiled, detailing a high-risk maneuver carried out under the radar of onlookers.
Details of the High-Stakes Maneuver
As reconstructed by the Washington Post, Trump publicly boarded the traditional Air Force One—a Boeing 747—at Ankara's Esenboğa Airport.
Moments later, he was discreetly transferred via a hydraulic catering truck to the opposite door of the plane, where he then boarded a C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 typically used by the Vice President, which flew under the call sign "Reach 18."
The original Air Force One served as a decoy, operating under the "AF1" call sign with journalists and cabinet members aboard. The New York Times reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were unaware that the President was no longer on the aircraft. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the C-32A separately using external stairs to avoid suspicion.
Journalists Unknowingly on a Decoy Flight
Journalists aboard the decoy plane were instructed to lower their window shades. A photographer who briefly opened one was immediately told to close it. The White House Correspondents' Association documented the incident in a report published on Tuesday.
U.S. intelligence had identified not only the general threat but also an individual near the summit with a shoulder-fired missile, according to the New York Times. CBS News independently confirmed that the threat was deemed credible by intelligence services.
"I assume there was a threat out there," Trump stated. "I didn't ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats. I have many threats that you don't know about."
Backdrop of Renewed U.S.-Iran Tensions
The operation took place the night the U.S. resumed military strikes against Iran, following the breakdown of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. On the same day, Trump declared at NATO that the 60-day truce signed in June in Switzerland was "over" after Iran attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6th and 7th.
Two days after the aircraft switch, Israel alerted the U.S. about a potential Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, although there were disagreements over whether it was a concrete plan or general discussions within the Iranian leadership.
This isn't the first time Trump has faced direct threats to his life. He survived two attempts in 2024—the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, and the incident in West Palm Beach in September—and in April 2026, a man was charged with attempting to attack him during the Correspondents' Dinner. In July, eight individuals were accused of planning a drone and sniper attack against the President.
Criticism Over Journalist Safety
The episode also drew criticism regarding the treatment of journalists. Jose Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists, stated that the Trump administration "has a responsibility to ensure that journalists covering the President are not unnecessarily put in harm's way" and that "reporters should be informed of credible threats so they can make informed decisions about their safety."
FAQs on Trump's Secret Operation and Missile Threat
What prompted the secret operation to switch Trump's aircraft?
The operation was initiated due to a credible missile threat from Iran, as detected by U.S. intelligence.
How was the switch from Air Force One executed?
Trump was transferred discreetly via a hydraulic catering truck to a C-32A aircraft, which flew under a discrete call sign.
What happened to journalists on the decoy flight?
Journalists were on the decoy Air Force One and were instructed to lower window shades to avoid suspicion.