Do&Co chief on Trump's escape: Organized by the Secret Service and just secret

On the evening of July 8, U.S. President Donald Trump boarded his presidential aircraft, Air Force One, at Ankara’s airport after concluding a NATO summit. The footage showed him climbing the gangway with a wave, seemingly unaware that his journey was about to take an unexpected turn. Within minutes, Trump was secretly transferred into a catering truck and moved to a smaller military plane, according to reports from The Washington Post and The New York Times. This covert maneuver, described by some as resembling a spy thriller, was allegedly triggered by a credible threat from Iran. The sequence of events unfolded rapidly. After stepping aboard the older Boeing 747-200B, which is designated as a VC-25A, Trump was discreetly removed by members of the Secret Service. Security personnel guided him into a catering container, which was then transported to the rear of the aircraft. Five minutes later, the vehicle departed from the other side of the plane, carrying Trump concealed within the container. According to the Washington Post, this unusual method of transportation was part of a contingency plan to avoid potential danger. Following the transfer, Trump was reportedly taken aboard a C-32A military jet, a modified Boeing 757 used primarily for logistical support. This smaller aircraft, along with the larger Boeing 747, landed at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom shortly thereafter. Upon arrival, Trump emerged from the jumbo jet as though he had flown the entire distance, while the media and journalists remained under the impression that they had been traveling with him throughout the flight. The incident has raised numerous unanswered questions. While officials have not officially confirmed the details, multiple reports suggest that the threat came from Iran, potentially involving missile attacks or drone strikes. The distance between Ankara and the Iranian border is approximately 1,000 kilometers, and there have been instances of Iranian missiles striking targets far beyond that range. It remains unclear whether the risk posed to the crew, staff, and journalists aboard the plane was significant enough to warrant such drastic measures. Further complications arose during the flight. Journalists who believed they were accompanying Trump were instructed to close the sun visors in their press cabin. When asked why the blinds were closed, Trump responded, “We were probably on a dangerous flight.” He added, “But if I go, you go too. Right?” These remarks, made during the return flight from England to Washington, underscore the secrecy surrounding the operation. The situation became even more complex when Trump transitioned from the older Air Force One to the newer one gifted by Qatar. This move was designed to create the illusion that he had traveled the entire route in official government aircraft. However, some White House employees, including those who had boarded the plane in Turkey, were reportedly unaware that Trump had not actually been on board. Similarly, a group of journalists who regularly accompany the president were kept in the dark regarding the possible Iranian threat. The controversy extends beyond the immediate circumstances of the flight. For months, discussions in the U.S. have centered around the aging fleet of Boeing 747-200B planes currently serving as Air Force One. These aircraft, originally introduced in 1990, are considered outdated and costly to maintain. Trump had long sought a replacement, and in mid-2025, he accepted a $400 million gift from Qatar, a new Boeing 747-800 configured as a business jet, to serve as his primary presidential aircraft. Despite the widespread coverage of the incident, the White House has yet to issue a direct statement confirming or denying the allegations. Instead, spokesperson Steven Cheung emphasized the ongoing threats against American leaders, stating that all available resources are being utilized to counter these dangers. The lack of formal confirmation leaves many questions unresolved, particularly concerning the extent of the threat and the decision-making process behind the secret transfer.