Trump Plane Swap Misdirection
Trump took an older Air Force One home from Turkey amid questions over the newer jet.
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Updated Jul 9, 5:40pm ETBoth sides, every morning
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The reporting
President Donald Trump left the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One instead of the newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar that had carried him to Turkey. U.S. officials said the Secret Service recommended the switch as a security precaution amid the escalation with Iran, because personnel were more comfortable with the older aircraft’s defensive capabilities. Trump said the Qatari jet was sent to Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom for troops to see, then later rejoined it there for the flight to Washington.
Day 2
Latest update · Jul 10The White House said the Air Force One swap was deliberate “distraction and misdirection” to protect Trump, after officials said the Secret Service had urged him to leave Turkey on the older aircraft amid heightened Iran-related threats. Trump had arrived at the NATO summit in Ankara on a newly retrofitted jet donated by Qatar, then flew the older plane to Mildenhall Air Force Base before boarding the new jet for Washington. He told reporters the change was not about security and said the newer aircraft was sent ahead so U.S. troops could tour it.
Analysis & opinion
Dubious explanationMostly Left
Trump’s account of why he switched away from the Qatari-gifted Air Force One does not hold up. The abrupt plane swap looks suspicious, leaves major questions unanswered, and appears to conceal the real reason for abandoning the jet.
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