WATCH: Netflix Rushes Out Documentary on Trump's Secret Turkey Plane Swap

Netflix released a documentary titled Instadocs: The Decoy Plane on Friday, following a rapid announcement two days earlier. The film explores the July 8 incident in Ankara, Turkey, during which President Donald Trump allegedly disappeared from Air Force One using a catering truck and boarded a separate military transport plane. The documentary, part of Netflix’s fast-paced Instadocs series, includes footage and interviews with journalists and officials involved in the event. According to reports, Trump exited Air Force One in front of cameras at Ankara’s international airport and was swiftly transferred to a secure C-32A aircraft. Reporters and some White House staff remained on the larger 747 jet, unaware that the president had left. The situation escalated when the Secret Service ordered the press to lower their window shades, prompting confusion and alarm among the journalists onboard. This move reportedly triggered a heightened sense of unease, with one Associated Press photographer describing the moment as a “spidey sense” alert. The documentary features several key figures, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carol Leonnig of the Washington Post, veteran reporter Dan Lamothe, former Secret Service agent Robert McDonald, and a former Air Force One crew member named Wanda Joell. These individuals provide firsthand accounts of the incident, offering insights into the logistics and implications of the covert operation. The film also highlights the broader context of presidential security measures, particularly in response to perceived threats. The incident came to light after initial coverage by The Washington Post, which first reported the operation on August 10. Three weeks later, Netflix announced the documentary, citing the need to capture real-time developments. Executive producer Josh Tyrangiel emphasized the platform’s ability to respond quickly to breaking news, stating that the Instadocs series is designed to mirror the speed of current events. “With Netflix, we have the infrastructure to match the speed of the world we’re documenting,” he said. The operation has sparked debate within both the media and political circles. CNN commentator David Axelrod expressed surprise at the scale of the deception, calling it “stunning” to realize that the entire press team had been left behind as a decoy. Meanwhile, former Clinton military aide Lt. Col. Robert “Buzz” Patterson dismissed the media’s reaction as exaggerated, arguing that such maneuvers are standard practice for protecting the president in high-risk scenarios. He noted that similar operations have been conducted under previous administrations, including during the Clinton era. Patterson further warned that the media’s focus on the incident could lead to dangerous leaks of classified information. He suggested that the leak of details surrounding the operation might have originated from someone directly involved in planning it, raising concerns about national security. “If somebody leaked that, it was somebody involved in the process, and that scares the hell out of me,” he said. The documentary aims to present the incident from multiple perspectives, balancing the personal experiences of the journalists with the strategic rationale behind the Secret Service’s actions. While some critics argue that the media has overreacted to the situation, others view the episode as a rare glimpse into the complexities of modern presidential security. As the film prepares for its debut, it remains to be seen how the public and experts will interpret the events of July 8.