US President Donald Trump reportedly made a highly unusual exit from Turkey last month, with a catering truck allegedly playing a role in a covert change of aircraft prompted by security concerns linked to Iran.
According to The Washington Post, Trump was initially expected to leave Ankara aboard an older Air Force One after attending a NATO summit. He was photographed boarding the presidential aircraft before the reported switch took place.
The Post reported that Trump was then secretly moved from the plane in an airport catering truck and taken to a smaller Air Force C-32A, which he used to continue his journey to Britain. The New York Times also reported similar details, citing a US official.
The unusual operation reportedly came amid heightened tensions with Iran and concerns over a possible assassination threat against the president.
Trump had arrived in Ankara aboard a newly renovated aircraft donated by Qatar, but announced before his departure that he would instead travel on the older Air Force One “for old time’s sake.”
The new aircraft was also scheduled to travel to RAF Mildenhall in Britain, where US service members stationed at the base were expected to tour it.
