Trump secretly flew out of Turkiye after NATO summit because of Iran threat: report
President Donald Trump reportedly used a secret decoy operation to depart a NATO summit in Turkiye following intelligence regarding an Iranian assassination threat. The ruse involved boarding a legacy Air Force One jet before being covertly transferred to a smaller military aircraft via a catering truck to ensure his safe return to the U.S.
Why it matters
The report highlights the extreme security measures required for presidential travel during heightened geopolitical tensions and active military conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump secretly flew out of last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye, on an alternate military aircraft while the White House made it appear that the Republican president was flying on Air Force One, according to a report published by The Washington Post on Monday (August 10, 2026).
The Post said an Iranian assassination threat against Mr. Trump prompted the operation. The ruse was carried out as journalists and some White House staff members were led to believe they were on the same plane as the President as he began his journey back to Washington from the annual gathering of NATO country leaders.
The Post cited material reviewed by the newspaper, a U.S. official familiar with the operation and another person with knowledge of the president’s travel. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed the report.
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