**Title: Journalists Claim Trump Used Them as Decoys Amid Iranian Assassination Fears**
Several prominent news organizations have reported that U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly utilized journalists covering his travels as decoys during a recent trip, following intelligence suggesting a potential Iranian assassination plot against him. This incident reportedly occurred last month while Trump was returning to the United Kingdom from a NATO event in Türkiye.
According to initial reports, Trump made a sudden decision to switch from his Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 to an older model of Air Force One. The change was made in response to intelligence indicating a possible threat to his life. The older aircraft is said to have more advanced life-support and security systems, which may have influenced the decision to switch.
Subsequent media coverage revealed that after boarding the older Air Force One, Trump was covertly transferred via an airport catering truck to a smaller military aircraft. This aircraft then transported him to the UK. Upon arrival, he reportedly re-boarded the older Air Force One, creating the illusion that he had remained on that plane throughout the journey.
News outlets including Reuters, CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times expressed concern over the implications of this maneuver, suggesting it may have jeopardized the safety of journalists and administration staff traveling with the presidential entourage. CNN senior reporter Aaron Blake stated that many journalists felt they had been used as “unwitting and unknowing decoys very much in the line of fire.”
Historically, the use of decoy planes is not unprecedented in U.S. presidential travel. In 2000, President Bill Clinton employed a decoy plane during a trip to Pakistan; however, journalists accompanying him were briefed about the arrangement beforehand, which contrasts with the recent allegations against Trump.
In response to the claims, Trump has denied switching planes or taking extra precautions during his travels. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the new Air Force One was “perfectly safe for the President’s travels,” although it was undergoing planned enhancements at the time.
The situation has drawn attention to broader security concerns, particularly in light of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. and Israel have conducted targeted strikes that resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian political and military leaders, including the country’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iranian officials have vowed to avenge these deaths, with protests erupting in Tehran and other cities where demonstrators have called for violence against Trump.
In addition to the assassination plot concerns, the Department of Justice has been involved in legal actions related to the reporting on the new Air Force One. The department attempted to subpoena journalists from The New York Times over their coverage of the aircraft. Furthermore, the Pentagon has recently revoked the security clearance of former Air Force chief Frank Kendall, accusing him of leaking classified information regarding the aircraft to the media.
As the situation continues to develop, the implications of Trump's travel decisions and the safety of those accompanying him remain a topic of significant concern and debate within the media and political spheres.