---
title: "Trump Confirms Secret Swap of Air Force One in Turkey: 'They Wanted Me to Fly on a Different Flight'"
description: "🇺🇸 Donald Trump confirmed that he secretly switched planes after the NATO summit in Ankara. According to him, the decision was made by the Secret Service due to a threat. Media reports state that the operation was linked to the risk of an assassination attempt by Iran, and the old Air Force One was used as a decoy. 🚁🤫 #Trump #NATO #Security #Politics"
date: 2026-08-12T05:40:02.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/trump-confirms-secret-swap-of-air-force-one-in-turkey
tags: [donald-trump, nato-summit, us-security, iran-threat, air-force-one]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Trump Confirms Secret Swap of Air Force One in Turkey: 'They Wanted Me to Fly on a Different Flight'

![Donald Trump in the Oval Office confirms secret replacement of Air Force One in Turkey, stating they wanted him to fly on another flight](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/tramp-podtverdil-tainuyu-zamenu-air-force-one-v-turtsii/tramp-podtverdil-tainuyu-zamenu-air-force-one-v-turtsii-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Trump confirmed the plane change at the instruction of the Secret Service.
- Media reports mention the use of a van and a 'decoy' tactic.
- The cause was a threat of assassination from Iran.
- There are discrepancies in details between Trump's comment and media reports.

US President Donald Trump has officially confirmed reports from American media outlets that during his return from the NATO summit in Ankara (Turkey) in July 2026, a secret operation was conducted to transfer the head of state to a different aircraft. In a comment to journalists, Trump emphasized that the decision was made solely on the recommendation of the Secret Service and the military, and his personal role was limited to unconditional compliance with security protocols.

### 'I Obey the Secret Service'

In his statement, Donald Trump commented on information that had previously caused a wide resonance in the press. 'I obey the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to fly on a different flight, a different plane. I just need to do what they say,' the president stated. He emphasized that the safety of the head of state is a priority, and any changes to the route or transport are made based on an operational threat assessment by intelligence agencies.

### Special Operation Using a 'Decoy'

Details of the operation, revealed by The Washington Post and The New York Times on August 11, indicate a high level of preparation by intelligence agencies. According to journalists, Trump secretly transferred from the official presidential aircraft, Air Force One, to a backup plane using a van typically used for food delivery. The old Air Force One was effectively used as a decoy for journalists and some administration staff to conceal the president's actual location.

### Threat from Iran and Conflict Context

The special operation was carried out against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. According to the publications, the main reason for changing planes was the need to prevent a possible assassination attempt on the president by Iran. This is supported by the context: after the start of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran on February 28, 2026, the White House chief repeatedly stated that his life was in danger. Trump claimed that Iranian authorities had twice attempted to organize an assassination against him, but both attempts were futile. As early as July 11, he stated that he had left instructions in case of a possible assassination, according to which the country would be subjected to strikes of unprecedented force.

### Contradictory Data

While the president confirmed the fact of changing planes and complying with the Secret Service's decision, there are discrepancies in the details between Trump's official comment and the data from journalistic investigations. While the media (NYT and WaPo) described in detail the use of a food delivery van and the 'decoy' tactic with the main aircraft left on the tarmac, Trump's own comment lacks these technical details. He limited himself to a general statement that the military and intelligence agencies 'wanted him to fly on a different flight.' This creates room for interpretation: either the president intentionally did not reveal the details of the operation for security reasons, or journalistic sources exaggerated the scale and complexity of the logistical operation.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Spectator: NATO summit in Ankara will be a humiliation for Starmer](https://inosmi.ru/20260707/starmer-279196025.html) - Подтверждено по источнику inosmi.ru
- [CNN: Zelensky will not be allowed to attend NATO meetings at the summit in Ankara](https://inosmi.ru/20260707/sammit-279197654.html) - Подтверждено по источнику inosmi.ru
- [NYT told about Trump's plane replacement due to Iran](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/09/07/2026/6a4f4e8e9a7947f1fe3a6a40) - Источник подтверждает детали операции с фургоном и угрозой со стороны Ирана.
- [Trump traded the 'spirit of Anchorage' for the 'spirit of Ankara'](https://www.ng.ru/world/2026-07-08/1_9533_trump.html) - Контекст саммита НАТО в Анкаре.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why did Trump change planes?
**A:** According to the president, the decision was made by the Secret Service due to possible danger. Media links this to the threat of an assassination attempt by Iran.

### Q: How exactly did the transfer take place?
**A:** According to NYT and WaPo data, Trump transferred to another aircraft with the help of a food delivery van, while the old plane was used as a decoy.

### Q: Where was the NATO summit held?
**A:** The summit was held in Ankara, Turkey, in July 2026.