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Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained aboard what amounted to a decoy aircraft departing last month’s NATO summit in Turkey while President Donald Trump was covertly moved to an alternate military jet following an Iranian threat, according to a senior U.S. official. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive presidential travel details, indicated that Rubio was cognizant of both the aircraft switch and the threat that prompted it, though the official could not confirm Rubio’s reasons for staying on the original plane.
Bessent likely possessed knowledge of the maneuver, though the official expressed less certainty regarding the Treasury secretary’s awareness. The official emphasized that security arrangements for the president, particularly one who has faced multiple assassination attempts, substantially exceed those provided to Cabinet-level officials, even those high in the presidential succession.
Trump had arrived at the NATO gathering in Ankara aboard a newly acquired Qatari-gifted aircraft painted in red, white, and navy blue. However, for his departure, the president announced he would initially fly home on an older Air Force One, a baby blue aircraft, citing a need to allow U.S. troops stationed in eastern England to examine the new jet.
Intelligence agencies had previously flagged concerns about a potential Iranian strike against Trump or his aircraft, prompting enhanced security protocols and the decision to forgo the newly inaugurated Qatari jet for the initial leg home from Ankara. According to reporting from The Washington Post, Trump was transported via catering cart onto a separate aircraft to circumvent the suspected Iranian plot while journalists and certain White House staff members believed they remained with the president.
Trump confirmed the transfer late Tuesday at Joint Base Andrews, telling reporters that he defers entirely to Secret Service and military directives regarding his travel arrangements. “They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane, equal safety, but they wanted me to do it, so I do it, I do what they say,” Trump stated.
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