Missile Threat Forced Trump to Secretly Switch Air Force One in Turkey

A credible missile threat against Air Force One prompted the U.S. Secret Service to secretly move President Donald Trump to a smaller government aircraft during his July visit to Turkey, according to people briefed on the security operation.

The threat surfaced on July 8, the final day of Trump’s trip to Ankara for the NATO summit, as tensions with Iran intensified. Security officials reportedly considered the danger credible and imminent, forcing them to develop an emergency plan with little preparation time.

Trump and a small group of aides were discreetly transported in a catering truck before boarding a less conspicuous C-32A government jet. Meanwhile, the recognizable blue-and-white Air Force One departed separately with senior administration officials, White House staff and members of the traveling press corps.

Trump later confirmed that the aircraft switch was made at the Secret Service’s direction. His smaller plane flew from Ankara to a refueling stop in Britain without incident.

The precise nature of the reported threat remains unclear. Aerospace expert Douglas Birkey said a heat-seeking, shoulder-fired missile could have been among the security concerns. Unlike traditional radar-guided weapons, infrared-guided missiles can track the heat generated by aircraft engines without emitting radio signals that could provide advance warning.

Officials have not disclosed the source of the intelligence. One person briefed on the situation said hostile actors appeared to have an intent to target Trump but lacked a clearly developed attack plan.

Reports also indicated that U.S. officials were concerned Iranian operatives knew sensitive details about Trump’s location in Ankara, including the floor of his hotel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House officials and the traveling press pool remained aboard the main Air Force One aircraft, which effectively served as a decoy. Trump was accompanied on the smaller jet by a limited number of aides.

The unusual security maneuver has raised questions over whether officials and journalists aboard Air Force One faced additional risk. However, the operation was reportedly kept secret because authorities believed concealing Trump’s actual location offered the strongest protection amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Turkish officials did not immediately comment on the reported threat.