President Trump has confirmed he switched planes following the NATO summit in Turkey after the Secret Service raised concerns about a possible threat, according to the BBC.
Key facts
- Trump says he switched planes after the NATO summit in Turkey.
- The president says the Secret Service wanted him to take a different flight.
- The move was linked to a possible threat.
- Journalists and White House staff on board the jet were unaware the president had left.
President Donald Trump has said he switched planes after the NATO summit in Turkey because of a possible threat, according to the BBC.
Trump said the Secret Service wanted him to travel on a different flight following the conclusion of the summit, the BBC reported.
The president indicated the decision to change aircraft was connected to a possible threat, though further details on the nature of that threat were not provided in the accounts published by the BBC.
According to the BBC, journalists and White House staff who were on board the jet were unaware that the president had left. The reporting suggests the switch took place without those travelling on the original aircraft being informed at the time.
The BBC published its coverage in the early hours of 12 August 2026, citing the president’s own confirmation of the events surrounding his departure from the summit.
Why it matters
Security decisions involving the movements of a sitting president are closely watched, particularly when they involve a possible threat during international travel. The fact that staff and journalists on board were unaware of the switch raises questions about how such precautions are communicated.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Trump switch planes?
According to the BBC, Trump says the Secret Service wanted him to take a different flight after the NATO summit in Turkey because of a possible threat.
Did people on the original plane know Trump had left?
No. The BBC reports that journalists and White House staff on board the jet were unaware the president had left.
Where did this happen?
The events followed the NATO summit held in Turkey, as reported by the BBC.