Donald Trump was moved out of view from Air Force One into an airport catering vehicle in Ankara before transferring to a smaller U.S. military C-32A for departure from Turkey after the NATO summit, in an unusual security operation linked to a reported Iranian threat. The switch took place on the apron under tight secrecy, with the larger presidential aircraft used as a decoy while the president continued on to the United Kingdom.
The Washington Post’s account added that the transfer was concealed inside the catering truck rather than through a visible aircraft change. White House staff, U.S. officials, military aviation personnel and the traveling press were involved in the operation, but only a very small circle knew the full plan. Journalists on the decoy flight reportedly believed Trump remained aboard Air Force One.
The move has raised questions about presidential aviation security, ground handling and the coordination required between airport services and military crews during a high-risk transfer. Some early coverage also pointed to disagreement over whether a security threat drove the aircraft change, but the core account centres on the concealed handover in Ankara on 8 July 2026.