US President Donald Trump has confirmed reports that he changed his aircraft while departing from Turkey following a NATO summit on July 8 due to security threats.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, international media outlets first reported the incident, which involved a shift in travel arrangements.
President Trump stated that the decision was made at the direction of the US Secret Service. "This is entirely the work of the Secret Service. I simply follow their instructions. I follow the guidance of the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to fly on a different flight, on a different plane. The security detail remained the same, but they requested this change, and I complied," he noted.
The US President added that he did not have specific details regarding the exact nature of the threat: "I assume there was some kind of threat. I didn't ask many questions about it. I receive threats often. In fact, the plane I was originally scheduled to fly on was at greater risk; it was more likely to be targeted."
According to reports in the US media, following the NATO summit, President Trump was secretly transferred from his presidential aircraft to a military plane due to a potential assassination threat originating from Iran. The operation was reportedly conducted with the assistance of a cargo truck used for transporting catering supplies for the aircraft. It is noted that some members of Trump's team were unaware of the operation at the time.
Following the disclosure of these details, several political commentators have raised concerns regarding the safety of the aides and journalists who remained on the original presidential aircraft.
The NATO summit, a cornerstone of transatlantic security, often involves complex logistical and security protocols for world leaders. High-profile international gatherings frequently necessitate heightened protective measures by the US Secret Service to mitigate risks against the President of the United States.
