A senior official from the Trump administration disclosed that U.S. fighter jets escorted a “decoy” Air Force One used by President Donald Trump during his recent flight to the United Kingdom. This security measure countered concerns about the vulnerability of the press corps and staff to potential threats while leaving Ankara, Turkey.
The unexpected security protocol added further safeguard to Trump’s aircraft switch, whereby the usual plane associated with the president continued its journey to the U.K. without him aboard. The decoy aircraft did accommodate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alongside the press corps. The passengers on board were informed that Trump was not traveling with them.
“TRUMP USED CATERING TRUCK, AIR FORCE ONE DECOY TO EVADE IRAN THREAT: REPORT”
A photograph documented the press boarding the Air Force One aircraft in Ankara, adjacent to a catering truck in front of the plane.
Instructions were given to staff and reporters to keep the window shades closed during the flight to prevent visibility of the fighter jet escort. According to the circulated pool report, the departure scene at the airport appeared ordinary, with press vans positioned at the back of the motorcade. Photographers were unable to observe Trump boarding from their regular vantage point beneath the wing.
Upon boarding, passengers encountered snack mix bags marked with the presidential seal, awaiting them on the original plane. However, the press was shortly afterward directed to keep the window shades down. A Secret Service agent reinforced the instruction within the press cabin. When a photographer temporarily opened a shade, the prompt to close it was swift. The request for closed shades was attributed to the Secret Service’s directive.
In a statement Tuesday night, Trump explained that the aircraft switch was advised by his security team and the military, citing that he adheres to their decisions.
“Well, it’s only up to the Secret Service; I just follow what they’d like to do,” Trump commented after attending the Freedom 250 Patriot Games in Geneva, Ohio. “So I go by the Secret Service and the military.”
White House staff and reporters boarded the initial plane as per standard procedure, where bags of snack mix featuring the presidential seal awaited.
On the tarmac, Trump conversed with reporters and suggested a heightened risk associated with the aircraft he eventually traveled on. “I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” Trump indicated, implying susceptibility to targeting.
The State Department opted not to comment on the fighter jet activity.
Fox News’ Nicholas Kalman contributed to this report. Peter Doocy actively serves as a rotating anchor for The Sunday Briefing, Sundays at 11 AM/ET, alongside Jacqui Heinrich and holds a position as senior White House correspondent at FOX News Channel.
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