President Donald Trump’s departure from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, was like something out of an action film, as he was smuggled from one plane to another while allegedly hiding in a catering truck. Now, the president’s chilling 7 words to reporters after being smuggled out have been revealed.
Donald Trump was reportedly at the center of an extraordinary security operation after leaving Turkey last month — and now his own comments are putting the bizarre incident back in the spotlight.
Trump had attended the NATO summit in Ankara in July and appeared to board Air Force One before leaving Turkey. But according to the Washington Post, that was only part of the story.
According to the news outlet, Donald Trump was allegedly moved off the plane and secretly transported across the airport tarmac inside a catering truck before being transferred to a smaller military aircraft.
The unusual move was reportedly prompted by an Iranian threat against Trump. Officials were said to have received a serious warning that an Iranian missile could be fired at the plane.
US officials told CBS News that they had detected what was described as a credible Iranian threat. Meanwhile, The New York Times also reported that U.S intelligence had information about a person near the NATO summit who was allegedly seen carrying a shoulder-fired missile.
Donald Trump ‘hid in catering truck’ to secretly escape Turkey
Trump traveled on the smaller C-32A military jet to RAF Mildenhall in England, where he later continued his journey aboard the newer presidential aircraft gifted to the U.S by Qatar.
What makes the story even more remarkable is that some journalists and White House staff traveling with Trump reportedly had no idea he had left Air Force One.
The plane took off without the president but with White House officials, security, and support staff, and journalists were still on board. Basically, they became a decoy.
On the flight, reporters were told to keep the window shades closed. Later, when Trump was asked why, he gave a response that has since raised eyebrows.
Trump told reporters they were “probably on a dangerous flight”
He told reporters they were “probably on a dangerous flight” due to the threats against him. Trump then claimed he faces threats “all the time” and said he was “number one” on Iran’s supposed list “before” the reporters.
However, the president, as many times before, didn’t stop there. Trump continued to allegedly warn the journalists that they could potentially be caught up in an attack as well.
“But if I go, you go, right? Perhaps someday you want to change professions,” he said.
The comments came before the full details of the secret plane switch were publicly known. At the time of writing, no official confirmation has been given on all details surrounding the rumored operation to transport Trump from one plane to another.
Even so, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung defended the security measures surrounding the president.
White House official makes statement
He told reporters saying that there are “many enemies of America” that have “their sights” on Donald Trump.
“We use every tool at our disposal to address those threats,” Cheung said in a statement to the Washington Post.
Adding to the ‘catering truck’ operation, Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service special agent, described it as highly unusual. Still, he added that it could have been triggered by specific intelligence or, to be absolutely sure, to ensure the president’s safety.
It sure sounds like something taken out of a movie. For now, one thing is clear: what appeared to be a routine departure from Turkey was anything but ordinary.
READ MORE
- Trump accused of disrespecting U.S. troops during golf course encounter
- Abdul El-Sayed takes brutal swipe at Donald Trump’s marriage to Melania
