https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/politics/trump-plane-ruse.htmlTop administration officials engaged in an elaborate deception to spirit President Trump out of Turkey during the NATO summit there last month, transporting him in a catering container to a military jet because of a threat against him and Air Force One from Iran, two senior U.S. officials said on Monday.Mr. Trump and other officials had said publicly that he would be leaving Turkey on July 8 aboard one of the older versions of Air Force One rather than a luxury 747-8 donated by Qatar that he had flown in on. Mr. Trump told reporters at the time that he was making the switch for “old time’s sake.”Mr. Trump boarded the older plane from the left-side door in view of cameras, and news organizations, including The New York Times, reported that he had traveled on it to Britain, where he switched back to the newer plane. The Times reported at the time that the decision was driven in part by concern about the security of the new plane donated by Qatar, which had not been equipped with all of the defensive capabilities of older versions.But instead of flying out aboard that older, powder blue, modified 747, Mr. Trump was whisked off that plane via a catering container that had been lifted to the opposite side of the plane from where the journalists traveling with him boarded, one of the U.S. officials said. The president was then taken to a third plane, which he flew in secret to Britain, the official with knowledge of the matter said.Reporters on the older plane were not told that Mr. Trump had not flown with them from Turkey to an air base in Britain, making them unwitting participants in the ruse and leaving them, along with some White House staff members, to serve as unknowing decoys.
After Mr. Trump arrived in Britain, he was secretly moved back to the older version of Air Force One. He then disembarked in view of reporters and walked across the tarmac to the plane donated by Qatar, which he flew to Washington.The elaborate plan appears to have been developed in a matter of hours after officials determined that a threat against Mr. Trump from Iran was credible. It came after years of threats against Mr. Trump from Iran and amid the war he launched against that country. And it was an unusual instance of the public being deceived about a president’s whereabouts.Officials have not previously acknowledged that Mr. Trump was not where they claimed he was. The furtive operation was reported earlier by the Washington Post, which identified the plane that carried the president to Britain from Turkey as a C-32A, a military variant of a Boeing 757.It is rare for presidents to travel without the reporters who comprise the press pool designated to be with them, or in their vicinity, without some general awareness of the commander in chief’s whereabouts.In this case, the threat led the White House to purposely mislead reporters assigned to cover Mr. Trump, leaving journalists to report that he was traveling on board a plane that was being used as a decoy.After The Times reported last month on the security shortcomings of the Qatari-donated jet amid the concerns about the threat from Iran, Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, seemed to hint that subterfuge might have been involved in Mr. Trump’s departure from Turkey.“As the president has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal — including distraction and misdirection — to address those threats,” he said at the time.
The threat from Iran was not specific to the Qatari-donated jet, people familiar with the sequence of events said. Instead, Mr. Trump was being targeted on whatever airplane he was traveling on, as The Times has previously reported.Mr. Trump was briefed on the threat while in Turkey, and a plan was soon put in place, with a small group of top government officials involved, including Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the official with knowledge of the deception plan said.The Defense Department and a spokesman for General Caine referred all questions to the White House on Monday. The White House reissued Mr. Cheung’s statement from the week of the NATO summit, only without the clause mentioning “distraction and misdirection.” The U.S. officials with knowledge of the deception plan spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security issues.When Mr. Trump arrived at the airport to leave Turkey, a camera that had been positioned beforehand captured him getting on the old Air Force One, and journalists traveling with him, rushing to board the plane through lower steps in the back, had only a glimpse of him. A pool report noted as the plane took off, “We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed.”The older Air Force One landed at 10:16 p.m. at the Mildenhall military base in England, a pool report said, with Mr. Trump stepping off it 40 minutes later. Before that, unbeknown to reporters, Mr. Trump was brought by vehicle from the third plane that he had arrived on to the older Air Force One, boarded it through a different entrance and strode down the step from the upper left-side door as he would typically do, according to the U.S. official.He walked from there to the Qatari jet, as the small group of reporters who had traveled aboard the older jet watched. The president and the press pool then boarded the new plane to fly back to Washington.
When asked by reporters during that flight back to the United States about why they had flown on the old Air Force One to England, Mr. Trump claimed he had wanted the troops stationed at the U.K. base to see the new plane. When pressed on why the window blinds had been directed to be shut on the flight from Turkey, Mr. Trump said that he knew of no specific threat, but described himself as under constant siege from Iran.“I’m number one on their list, before you,” he told the reporters. “But if I go, you go. Right?Mr. Trump and a number of his advisers have faced threats from Iran for years, especially after Mr. Trump, during his first term, ordered the killing of a powerful Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani.Mr. Trump’s advisers during the 2024 campaign privately told allies that they were given intelligence that Iran still hoped to harm Mr. Trump. That led to the occasional use of decoy planes during the campaign. His staff at times put the candidate aboard a secret jet, without alerting the media, while his staff flew his private plane. The Biden administration increased security for Mr. Trump that summer after new intelligence about plots to kill Mr. Trump; a short time later, he faced an unrelated assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania at an outdoor rally. There was a second unrelated attempt in September 2024.The collective threats, which ranged from a prosecuted murder-for-hire plot by an Iranian proxy to the hacking of Trump campaign officials’ email and social media accounts, created a siege climate for the candidate and his aides. It led to fear, insularity and, at times, paranoia, that shaped how officials interacted with the Biden administration, which was responsible for allocating Secret Service resources, as well as with the media, and with other government officials.
After the Times reported about the security concerns in Turkey, and the fact that the Qatari jet lacked the same defensive capabilities as the older presidential aircraft, Mr. Trump was enraged by the leaks. The Justice Department issued subpoenas for grand jury testimony to the reporters who had been on the bylines of the stories, as well as some of their family members. Those subpoenas were withdrawn after a federal judge admonished federal prosecutors for the process involved.Mr. Trump has continued to rage about information coming from his government that contradicts what he is telling the public, particularly about the war in Iran that he began on Feb. 28, according to multiple officials.
Obama dropped pallets of cash because he was so scared of Iran.
>>1529255AI looking good!
>>1529271tell us more about how strong russia is
>>1529271Haha this. What about Hunter Biden?Don’t forget Obama’s tan suit! Trump is actually a modern day George Washington because he took a bullet for our country and we don’t understand what true bravery is the way he does
>>1529274Brave sir Donald ran away! Bravely ran away, away!When Iran reared it's ugly head.He bravely turned his tail and fled.Yes, brave Sir Donald turned aboutAnd gallantly he chickened out.
>>1529255>transporting him in a catering containerI wonder if there was any food left in the container when they took them out? N'YUCK N'YUCK tRump always cucks out tRump always chomps out tRump always chumps out tRump alwas crazys outtRump always chaos(es) out tRump always caves outtRump always cheaps outtRump always confuses outtRump always cowards outtRump always crimes outtRump always cruels outtRump always cries out
>>1529274The only reason Iran could attack Israel and build nukes is Obama cash
>>1529305It was their money though, so they can spend it on whatever they like.
>>1529308It's amazing how much conservatives push that lie.
>>1529255The original AI slop pic shows generals Patton & MacArthur. Between them, Trump in a similar uniformhttps://i.postimg.cc/tCs5pkf8/trump-stolen-valor.pngEver hear of 'Stolen Valor', Bone Spurs?Oliver Stone joined the US armed forces of his own free will and wanted combat duty in Vietnam. He is overqualified to ask you this question, Trump: 'What did you do in the war?'
>>15292551. Its fucking hilarious that he sent the journalists in AF1 despite the threat. A generational talent. 2. I'm sorry he didnt let you kill him.
>>1529312>Trump: 'What did you do in the war?'Nothing, because Trump was never drafted.
>>1529312He loves to play pretend his a general, but will be shitting and pissing himself an actual threat arises. It's why he hijacked the Army's 250th anniversary parade to make it about himself since he desperately wanted a parade in his honor for years.
>>1529317>He loves to play pretend his a general, but will be shitting and pissing himself an actual threat arises.>NOOOOO WHY WONT YOU LET US TRY KILL YOU FOR THE FOURTH TIME Bruh.
>Oliver Stone wasn't drafted>the nothing that is 'Bone Spurs' Trump dodged the draftftfy
>>1529319>Thinking anyone cares over all those faked attempts.
>>1529324>faked attempts.Imagine typing this and thinking it doesnt make you look absolutely deranged. >>1529323To "dodge the draft" you first have to be drafted. Donald Trump's draft number was 356 in the December 1, 1969 lottery and was never called. The highest number called in that draft lottery was 195. Bone spurs or no bone spurs, it doesn't matter because he was never drafted. Same with Bill Clinton (draft no 311, only called up to 195).
>>1529326Image looking at those faked attempts and being deranged enough to think they're real.
1529326Oliver Stone wasn't drafted. He joined the armed forces of his own free will. He wanted combat duty in Vietnamhttps://i.postimg.cc/tCs5pkf8/trump-stolen-valor.png>filenameYou don't have the right to any excuses, Trump the Coward.
>>1529313He not only did that, but like a 4th of his cabinet would have been killed too if the plane was blown up.
>>1529313>Getting a massive chunk of the cabinet killed to own the libs
Donald Trump would still beat Joe Briben in a fightEric Trump would still beat Hunter Briben in a fight
>>1529446>>1529448Hey dumb fuck, Trump isn't in charge of safety protocols. If the cabinet gets clapped it's the secret services fault not his
>>1529450And who is in charge of the secret service anon?
>>1529449hi russia shill
>>1529452>"Republicans would beat Democrats in a fight">You must be a Russian!???
>>1529451Sean M Curran
>>1529450>trump listening to anyoneAnd this is how we know you're lying.
>>1529458it's some deranged leftshart who called everyone xhe disagrees with "esl" or "russian". just ignore it.
>>1529463And who is in charge of him?
>>1529522Stop being so antisemitic
>>1529271At least Obama managed to get a deal with Iran, flawed as it was. Then Trump tore it up and we'll be lucky if he can get one in place that's even a fraction as effective as what was in place before
>>1529535Obama's Iran deal was long term, have the country slowly improve where an actual middle class would appear who would demand meaningful reform to reduce the power of the theocracy. Would it work? Maybe, maybe not, but it's certainly better than the status quo.trump managed to wipe out everything because of his jealousy of Obama and ensure Iranian theocracy is going to be a thing for decades and they will go for nukes now since trump and isreals war created one message 'If you have nukes, you won't be attacked'At this point, we either have to waste years and trillions to create a system to bypass the strait, or give into most, if not all of their demands.Maybe we can get some stuff off the table if we promised to just hand over trump and hengseth.
>>1529535You seem to forget there were 4 years of Biden not doing shit between then and now.If Dems could've fixed it, why didn't they?
>>1529305>The only reason Iran could attack Israel and build nukes is Obama cashthat doesnt make any sense. Whats wrong with you.
>>1529550>Why didn't Biden get the deal Trump can't even get while literally bombing themTrump took the genie out of the bottle retard. We can't get it back in.
>>1529552No, you're supposed to be a stupid esl moron who thinks its Democrats jobs to fix everything MIGA breaks
>>1529552It was probably John Kerry asking his buds in Iran to stir up shit.
>>1529255I cannot fucking believe how pathetic this man is.
>>1529542Well, like anything Trump touches the damage will far outlive his term in office. It's a shame that he and his followers can't even see how much damage he is doing to the US empire.In terms of Obamas deal, I think the biggest criticism was that it had an expiry date in 2025 but not like that matters anymore. As I said it wasn't perfect, but nothing is in the world of politics. And it's still leagues better than anything Trump could hope to achieve even if he had a competent diplomats to do it, given that Iran is in a much stronger position now.>>1529550>If Dems could've fixed itSorry, luckily I'm not American so I don't care for your my team vs your team bullshit that passes for politics over there.The fact of the matter is that there was serviceable deal in place that Trump canceled for no good reason and now expects to get a better deal, even though Iran is in a much stronger position today than it was when Obama was in office.
>>1529271Trump gave them even more and has now given them the whole fucking strait.>Trump’s $300 billion package for Iran makes the JCPOA “look like a pittance,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee.HEY! New maga just dropped!!!*Things You Could Say Before Trump: >America always has a peaceful transfer of power>No one is above the law>America's Navy keeps the world's water ways open and free*I wonder what we're going to lose next!
>>1529600>>1529600>Sorry, luckily I'm not American so I don't care for your my team vs your team bullshit that passes for politics over there.Yet you engage in dRumpf-getting faggotry?Interesting.>canceled for no good reasonAre you really going to make me post the fucking wiki again? ffs
>>1529609>Yet you engage in dRumpf-getting faggotry?I have no idea what that means, but since the US used to be a reliable ally for us until recently and Trump dismantling the US empire has consequences that reach far outside America, I'm not sure why I shouldn't be able to call him out for it
>>1529609>Are you really going to make me post the fucking wiki again? ffsNTA but I'm so curious what logic you can give for Trump dropping it then that doesn't make him look like a massive idiot in light of him asking for an almost identical, arguably worse version of it now.
>>1529625Obama plan badTrump plan good
>travel in secret to visit dangerous places without provoking an attack>orange man haters upset at lack of assassination attemptsPlease pick a reasonable disagreement and not this to be upset about.There's been a few times where the president travels to a warzone for a Thanksgiving dinner with the troops. The press nor public is entitled to a perfect GPS coordinate of the President's location at all times.
>>1529712why do you have this job
>assassinate the ayatollah>visit TurkeyKinda retarded plan, not going to lie.
>>1529712>>travel in secret to visit dangerous places without provoking an attackSee the problem is this pointedly wasn't in secret; they did a big public trip with air force one, realized they fucked up, then while they crammed Trump into another plane they left the entire white house press corps and a decent chunk of his own cabinet out as an unknowing decoy for a potential attempt to kill instead.Plainly put, this is a complete fucking failure on their part. The fact they wound up in this situation is proof they didn't think shit through until it was too late and decided to leave US citizens and officials to die because of it.
Bone spurs
>>1529255For anyone who wants a full recap of events>President Trump insists on taking his shiny new Qatari "Air Force One" on his next trip>After getting there, Secret Service realizes Iran has repeatedly stated they're out for blood against Trump and there's a genuine risk of them trying to shoot the plane down>Qatari "Air Force One" is nowhere near as equipped as the normal one for dealing with military action and potential assassination attempts because it's basically a luxury jet they have nowhere near the time or ability to bring up to specs>Secret Service panics and somehow convinces Trump that going back on the Qatari jet is a massive risk>Problem: They're already in Turkey and they have nowhere near the time they need to properly ensure safety>So now they need to rush for not only an older Air Force One to come in, but they can't properly vet everything like they normally can because it's a last minute switch>To ensure Trump doesn't potentially get blown up, they have to film a bait and switch showing him getting on the newly arrived Air Force One when in reality they sneak him out in a food cart to a smaller, also secure plane>Side effect of this is they have to leave most of the cabinet and white house press corps on Air Force One in the dark, meaning that if Iran does try to shoot it down they've effectively been forced to leave all of them as decoy targets without their knowledge
>>1529740holy shit ahahahahah what a shit show. typical of this colossal fag
Trump is an actual demon wearing a skinsuit. How can someone be so depraved? Like every time you think he has hit a new low, he just keeps going lower. A shame they didn't get shot down since everyone in his cabinet is just as evil as he is, but it is shocking he would even do that to his closest supporters.
>>1529801Genuinely this is probably the reason while Leavitt is leaving her position at the end of the month. Imagine being a fresh mother and finding out your boss you devoted your career to and defend at every turn was not only willing to let you die to save himself, but actively had you used as a decoy without your knowledge.
>>1529801>The cultist exposes his religious beliefs.Hmm, might want to step back and examine your life choices, cultist.
>>1529844>pft, you think leaving multiple of your loyalists and innocent people to die because you screwed up and needed a decoy is evil? cultist, cultist!
>>1529801I think he's the best president since the 21st century started by a long shot
>>1529937That's because you're fucking stupid, have no idea how anything works, and have no metric to base that on.
smell the cope
