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Trump security decoy operation in Turkey

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-13 14:45 UTC → 2026-08-13 18:20 UTC · added removed

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. New details clarify that aides, including Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino, and Walt Nauta. To ensure the decoy aircraft also carried constitutional line of succession remained secure, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a move intended to ensure the constitutional line of succession Bessent remained secure. Trump was accompanied on the smaller jet by aides including Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino, and Walt Nauta. 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, though he operation but minimized the impact of the threat. 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-13 18:20 UTC Trump security decoy operation in Turkey
  2. 2026-08-13 14:45 UTC Trump security decoy operation in Turkey
  3. 2026-08-13 14:02 UTC Trump security decoy operation in Turkey

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