Trump explained why he secretly changed planes in Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he secretly switched planes in Turkey last month at Secret Service direction because of an Iranian assassination threat, Al-Monitor reported.

Trump said the plane he ultimately flew on was more vulnerable than Air Force One. “I think actually the plane that I flew on was at greater risk,” Trump told reporters. “I think it was at greater risk because that would be the plane I think that they would be more likely to go for.”

Following the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump was transferred from Air Force One to a military plane via a catering truck, the article said. The White House did not disclose the change at the time and said the president was flying aboard Air Force One from Turkey to Britain.

The plane change remained secret until the Washington Post first reported it Monday, quoting unnamed sources who said Trump left Air Force One moments after boarding it and boarded another aircraft for the flight to Britain. Some media commentators questioned whether aides and journalists traveling with Trump were left at risk aboard the plane presumed to carry him.

Trump said he followed the direction of the Secret Service and the military. “Well, it's only up to Secret Service. I just follow what they'd like to do, so I go by Secret Service and the military,” he said. “I guess there was a threat out there. I didn't really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats,” Trump said.

Trump had taken a newly renovated Qatari-donated jet to Ankara, the first international trip for the new plane, before unexpectedly saying he would use an older Air Force One when leaving Turkey. The article said the newer plane's speedy upgrades had raised cost and security questions, and the trip took place as hostilities escalated with Iran, which borders Turkey.