Trump Switched Planes Over Iran Threat, But Left Aides, Journalists Behind
President Donald Trump was secretly moved to a different aircraft during a trip to Turkey due to security threats from Iran. The original plane, Air Force One, continued its flight with staff and journalists on board as a decoy without their knowledge.
Why it matters
The incident raises ethical and safety concerns regarding the use of civilians and journalists as unwitting decoys in high-stakes presidential security operations.
US President Donald Trump was secretly moved off Air Force One during a stop in Ankara, Turkey, last month after US officials believed Iran could target the presidential aircraft. While Trump was taken to safety on another military plane, Air Force One continued its journey with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, senior White House aides Stephen Miller and Steven Cheung, along with reporters and other government personnel, reported The NY Times.The people on Air Force One were not told that the plane was being used as a decoy. Journalists sitting at the back of the aircraft were instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight.
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