Shortly before Air Force One took off from Turkey after the NATO summit, President Trump secretly left the presidential jet and was whisked to another plane by an airport catering truck, per a U.S. official with direct knowledge. U.S. intelligence had detected a credible shoulder‑fired missile threat aimed at his aircraft.

The president had warned he was Iran's "number one target" during the NATO summit. Mr. Trump told reporters he switched planes at the military and Secret Service's request, saying, "I guess there was a threat out there." The Washington Post first reported the secret switch.

Video showed the president boarding the old Air Force One while a catering truck was visible; minutes later the truck drove to a U.S. government C‑32A plane. He then flew to a U.K. refueling stop on that plane while press and staff traveled on Air Force One, believing they were on the same aircraft. He said the plane he rode was at greater risk. July 8 was the date of the announcement.

In the United Kingdom he transferred to the newer Qatar‑donated Air Force One, which the Air Force says is safe and equipped with advanced security. The administration has not disclosed the decoy flight, and White House communications director Steven Cheung declined to answer questions about the secret switch, noting many enemies target the president.