# Trump security decoy operation in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-security-decoy-operation-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-08-13T14:00:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

During a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, President Donald Trump underwent a secret security operation to evade a potential assassination threat. Intelligence, reportedly provided by Israel to the CIA, suggested an imminent threat involving a shoulder-fired missile targeting Air Force One, possibly linked to an Iranian plot.

To mitigate the risk, the Secret Service and military executed a deception maneuver. Trump was moved from the primary presidential aircraft to a smaller C-32A military jet, using a catering truck to obscure the transfer. While several senior cabinet members and the press corps remained on the original Air Force One to serve as a decoy, Trump traveled on the smaller jet accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and personal aides, including Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino, and Walt Nauta. To ensure the constitutional line of succession remained secure, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on the decoy aircraft.

While the operation proceeded, some U.S. intelligence officials expressed skepticism regarding the Israeli warning. Reports indicate that CIA analysts viewed the intelligence as “not deemed convincing by US standards” or potentially intended to influence policy. 

Trump later confirmed the use of the decoy operation but minimized the impact of the threat, stating he was not intimidated and suggesting the smaller aircraft might have actually been at greater risk than the primary presidential plane. Following public reports of the secret transport, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt resigned, citing family reasons.

## Claims

- Donald Trump secretly left Ankara, Turkey, on July 8 following a NATO summit. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The aircraft change was prompted by a reported assassination threat from Iran. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on a decoy aircraft to secure the line of succession. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Trump was transported to a second aircraft using a catering vehicle after initially boarding a plane designated as Air Force One. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accompanied Trump on the secret flight. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Donald Trump stated that the smaller military aircraft he used for the transfer may have been at greater risk than Air Force One. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The CIA expressed skepticism regarding an Israeli warning about a potential Iranian assassination attempt on Trump. (single source)
- The Secret Service instructed a secret aircraft change for the president following a NATO summit in Ankara. (single source)
- Trump downplayed the threat, stating he receives many threats and was not scared by the incident. (single source)
- The transfer included a small group of aides, including Dan Scavino, Natalie Harp, and Walt Nauta. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Donald Trump reveals secret aircraft swap in Turkey due to Iranian threat

Donald Trump revealed he was secretly moved from Air Force One via a catering truck in Turkey to avoid a reported assassination threat from Iran following a NATO summit.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-moved-via-catering-vehicle-due-to-iranian-threat

### 2026-08-13: Donald Trump secretly left Ankara via military aircraft

Donald Trump secretly fled Ankara via a military aircraft on July 8 after an Israeli assassination warning, using a decoy flight with high-ranking ministers to secure the line of succession.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-secretly-left-ankara-via-military-aircraft

### 2026-08-13: Donald Trump confirms decoy flight used during NATO summit

Donald Trump confirmed using a decoy aircraft to escape a security threat during a NATO summit in Turkey, an operation that preceded the resignation of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-confirms-decoy-flight-used-during-nato-summit

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Cite as: Trump security decoy operation in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-security-decoy-operation-in-turkey