President Donald Trump addressed the undisclosed plan to transfer him off Air Force One onto a separate military aircraft last month, stating the move was made at the request of the Secret Service. Speaking on Tuesday, August 12th, 2026, Trump said, “It’s up to the Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight from a different plane. I do what they say.”

The secret transition occurred during Trump's return from the NATO Summit in Turkey in July, while he was traveling near Iran. Trump noted that plans were put in place to thwart threats from Tehran amid ongoing conflict.

News of the modification only became public on Monday, August 11th, when The Washington Post reported that Trump was secretly moved off Air Force One via an airport catering truck to a separate military plane. Journalists aboard the original Air Force One believed they were traveling with the president and faced potential life-or-death threats from Iran.

This tactic echoes a 2000 incident when former President Bill Clinton avoided an Air Force One flight to mitigate security risks from Islamic terrorist networks in the Middle East. Clinton flew on an unmarked aircraft during a trip from India to Islamabad, Pakistan, with most reporters unaware of his absence.

Journalists in the White House criticized Trump’s decision not to inform the press accurately about his movements even after the security threat had passed, calling it unacceptable. One commentator, Dáte, remarked that “everyone aboard the real 747 AF1 — crew, guests, press pool — was considered expendable.”

Sources