President Donald Trump said he was moved off Air Force One in Turkey because of a security threat [1].
The incident highlights the high-level security risks associated with presidential travel and the coordination required between the military and the Secret Service during international summits.
Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 11 [4], regarding a trip to Istanbul that took place in July 2026 [5]. He said that he did not use the primary presidential aircraft for his departure after attending a NATO summit.
"I slipped away from Air Force One after a trip last month in Turkey because there was a threat," Trump said [3].
According to Trump, the decision to change aircraft was driven by his security detail and military advisers. He said that the Secret Service wanted him on a different plane due to a security concern [2].
Reports indicate the security concern involved a credible threat linked to Iran [6]. To mitigate the risk, officials arranged for the president to depart on a different aircraft rather than the highly visible Air Force One.
"I was taken off Air Force One because there was a threat," Trump said [1].
The operation to move the president away from the primary aircraft was intended to ensure his safety while in Turkey. Trump did not provide further specifics on the nature of the Iranian-linked threat or the specific aircraft used for his departure [6].
"The Secret Service wanted me on a different plane because of a security concern," Trump said [2].
“"I was taken off Air Force One because there was a threat,"”
The use of decoy aircraft or sudden changes in transport is a standard security protocol for U.S. presidents when intelligence suggests a targeted threat. By publicly disclosing the move, Trump is drawing attention to the specific risks posed by foreign adversaries, such as Iran, during high-profile diplomatic events like NATO summits.
