A recently revealed Secret Service operation involved flying former President Donald Trump out of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on an alternate aircraft due to an assassination threat from Iran. The Washington Post first reported on Monday, August 11th, 2026, that Trump was initially announced to take the old Air Force One to the U.K. but was secretly moved in a catering truck to board a smaller Air Force C-32A plane instead.

The press pool accompanying Trump was unaware of the switch and believed he was on the same plane as them, adding to the unusual nature of the situation. Upon departure, reporters on Air Force One were instructed to close their window shades during takeoff.

This incident is part of a series of threats against Trump’s life, with retired Secret Service agent Timothy Reboulet describing the Iranian threat as “deadly serious” and “a whole other level.” Additionally, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was reportedly also targeted in an Iranian assassination attempt.

John Bolton told CNN in 2022 that his Secret Service protection was withdrawn in 2019 when he resigned but was reinstated during the Biden administration due to threats on his life.

An official criticized the Trump White House for not disclosing the aircraft change promptly, stating, “Trump should have simply disclosed his change in aircraft to the media once he landed safely, rather than letting reporters and the public find out about it independently weeks after the fact,” calling it an example of the “rules-don’t-apply arrogance taken by the Trump White House.”

This episode raises broader questions about the security measures for former presidents traveling abroad amid ongoing threats.

Sources