The New York Times reported Thursday that President Donald Trump departed Ankara on his old Air Force One rather than the new Qatari-gifted aircraft after the Secret Service recommended the switch due to security concerns linked to the ongoing fighting in Iran. Trump denied the change was security-related, saying it was a precautionary measure not due to a specific threat.
The New York Times reported Thursday morning that President Donald Trump’s departure from Ankara on his old Air Force One was a precautionary measure recommended by the Secret Service against the backdrop of the ongoing fighting in Iran. Trump denied the change was security-related, saying it was a precautionary measure not due to a specific threat. The report follows an earlier NYT report on Wednesday that hinted at Iran threats and linked the switch to security concerns.
The Zioneer’s coverage began Wednesday evening at 19:30 Jerusalem, when Trump first said he may be assassinated, calling himself Iran’s “number one” target. At 19:30, it was reported that Trump did not deny a flight change due to security concerns. Subsequent reports confirmed that Trump took off from Ankara on his old aircraft rather than the Qatari-gifted jet. By 19:30, the NYT reported that the Secret Service had advised the switch due to security concerns, and Trump hinted at Iran threats. The Zioneer published a bulletin at 06:08 Thursday summarizing the NYT report.
The Zioneer reported on June 20 and June 23 that the Qatari-gifted aircraft, valued at $400 million, was intended as an interim Air Force One. The old Air Force One is equipped with countermeasures against surface-to-air missiles, while the new aircraft reportedly lacks some of those capabilities. The plane change occurred during the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump also discussed F-35 sales to Turkey.
It remains unclear what specific security concern prompted the Secret Service recommendation. Trump’s denial of a security-related cause contradicts the NYT’s sourcing. The exact nature of the potential threat from Iran, if any, has not been independently verified.
7 developments
- DevelopingArmored vehicles from Trump's convoy transported to Ankara for NATO summit
- StrongTrump displays Qatar-gifted interim Air Force One in New York
- DevelopingNATO fears Ankara summit may be disrupted by tensions with Trump administration, report says
- DevelopingReport: Trump tells Erdogan he's coming to NATO summit in July just for him
Source and signal
- Internal intake