During President Trump's departure from Turkey after a NATO summit in early July, his security team ran a decoy operation at Ankara after US intelligence flagged what officials described as a credible Iran-linked missile threat, according to accounts published this week by CBS News and ABC News [1][2]. The episode took place around July 8 [1].
Trump boarded the older Air Force One in full public view, then was moved by catering truck to a separate Air Force C-32A, which carried him to a refueling stop in the United Kingdom. The visible Air Force One flew on as a decoy, its transponder switched off, with much of the press and staff aboard unaware of the switch [1][2]. From the United Kingdom, Trump transferred to a Qatar-donated aircraft for the transatlantic leg [1].
Asked about the catering-truck ride, Trump told CBS News the decision was made by "the military and Secret Service, who wanted me to go in a different flight" [1].
The two accounts describe the threat differently, and the difference is worth keeping separate. CBS News characterized it as a credible plot by Iran and allied proxies to fire a missile at the aircraft as it left Ankara [1]. ABC News, citing a senior administration official, reported that an Iranian cell had entered Turkey with a shoulder-fired missile, and that intelligence indicated the Iranians knew Trump's movements in the city [2]. ABC News added that the decision to switch planes was made about four or five hours before the scheduled departure [2].
The two accounts also place the president's inner circle on opposite aircraft. According to ABC News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on the decoy Air Force One, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew with Trump [2].
The operation became public only roughly five weeks after it happened. The Washington Post first reported it on August 10, with CBS and ABC following on August 12, and neither account explains why the July episode was disclosed now. Some administration officials expressed frustration that classified protective tactics had leaked into public view [1][2].
