On 7 July, Donald Trump departed Turkey to attend a NATO summit in Ankara. A Washington Post investigation suggests that the former President secretly exchanged the old Air Force One for a smaller C‑32A aircraft, a move the White House has yet to confirm.
The report recounts how Trump first boarded the presidential jet amid television cameras, then was moved to a catering truck that had been elevated to plane‑level contact with the C‑32A. The C‑32A—normally used by the vice‑president—had external stairs added for a quick transfer, according to security officials.
Reports say journalists and some White House staff aboard Air Force One were instructed to close window shades while Trump was no longer on board, unbeknownst to them. After his clandestine transfer, Trump flew to the United Kingdom, boarded the Qatari‑donated Boeing 747‑8, and returned to Washington for a briefing to reporters on the trip’s security challenges.
During the flight to the U.S., Trump discussed Iran’s threat to his life but did not mention the earlier plane switch. He emphasized that his protection is a priority for the U.S. security community, and that only state‑of‑the‑art aircraft will safeguard him better.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said the new Air Force One is equipped with advanced security features, while President’s deputy press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed additional upgrades would begin next month. The event underscores heightened tensions between the U.S., Iran and international allies in the post‑summit era.
