WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has revealed that he secretly changed aircraft in Turkey last month on the advice of the US Secret Service, saying the plane he eventually boarded may have faced an even greater security risk.
The unusual switch reportedly took place after the NATO summit in Ankara amid an alleged Iranian assassination threat. Trump was moved from Air Force One to another military aircraft using a catering truck in a covert operation, according to US media reports.
The White House initially gave no indication that the aircraft change had taken place. The operation became public after The Washington Post reported the incident, prompting questions over whether Trump’s aides and journalists who remained aboard the aircraft believed to be carrying him were exposed to greater danger.
Trump said he followed instructions from the Secret Service and military officials and did not question the details of the reported threat.
“I just follow what they’d like to do,” Trump told reporters, adding that he receives numerous threats.
The president also rejected the suggestion that he personally chose to make the secret change, saying security agencies were responsible for the decision.
Trump had traveled to Ankara aboard a newly refurbished aircraft donated by Qatar for the NATO summit. However, he unexpectedly opted to depart Turkey aboard an older Air Force One, raising fresh questions about the security of the newly upgraded jet.
The aircraft’s first international trip came at a particularly sensitive time, as tensions with Iran were escalating and Turkey shares a border with the country.
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