Trump pulls James Bond-style aircraft switch in Türkiye amid alleged Iranian assassination threat

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug 11:  US President Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft during a visit to Türkiye last month amid an alleged Iranian assassination threat against him, while the White House publicly indicated that he was traveling aboard Air Force One, US media reported Monday.

According to The Washington Post, Trump initially boarded the older Air Force One aircraft in Ankara in full view of television cameras. Minutes later, however, he was reportedly transferred to a smaller US Air Force C-32A aircraft using an airport catering truck.

The maneuver was allegedly designed to conceal Trump's movements and location from the public, journalists and even some White House staff members, the report said, citing a US official and other people familiar with the operation.

The covert transfer reportedly took place after US forces resumed strikes on Iran following the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Trump was in Ankara for a NATO summit on July 7-8, where he met with world leaders. The alleged assassination threat reportedly emerged during the visit, prompting heightened security measures around the president.

The White House defended the decision to use additional security precautions.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the aircraft gifted by Qatar, which is now being used as Air Force One, had been “fitted with high-level security protocols” to protect the president.

“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 to address those threats,” Cheung said.

The reported operation highlights the extent of security concerns surrounding Trump amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and renewed fears of attacks against senior US officials.