TRUMP CONFIRMS SECRET PLANE SWAP IN TURKEY OVER SECURITY THREAT

Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he secretly switched aircraft while departing Turkey in July due to a security threat. According to reporting, Trump was smuggled off Air Force One onto a separate military aircraft using a catering truck on 8 July. The president told reporters he followed security advice to board the alternative plane, saying "I do what they say" when describing the decision. Trump stated he did not seek detailed information about the threat that prompted the switch.

Journalists travelling on Air Force One were unaware of the president's departure and remained on the original aircraft as it left Turkey. Travelling media expressed anger at having unknowingly served as potential decoys during the operation. A dozen journalists on board had no access to the presidential section and flew out without knowledge of the security situation. The operation allegedly responded to a threat from Iran, which maintains a state of conflict with the United States.

Trump asserted that the military aircraft he boarded faced "greater risk" than the plane carrying journalists and aides. He characterised the threat as routine, stating "any consequential president has a lot of threats" and expressed that he did not worry about security concerns. The White House faced criticism for the lack of communication with travelling media about the circumstances and reasons for the plane switch.