Trump denies security concerns behind Air Force One switch during return from NATO summit

Donald Trump. Pic/AFP

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said the new Air Force One aircraft was sent ahead to the Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom to meet with American servicemembers while returning from Turkey.

In a post shared by Rapid Response on X, Trump said, "We just landed and met up with our new Air Force One, which was sent earlier to RAF Mildenhall, so we could show the wonderful Servicemembers, as per the entire Base's request."

"They were very excited, picture enclosed. It was on our way back to the States from Turkey, with virtually no deviation of flightpath," he added.

Meanwhile, Trump denied that security concerns were behind his decision to travel on an older Air Force One aircraft for part of his return journey from the NATO summit, CNN reported.

Trump said the newer aircraft gifted by Qatar was flown ahead to Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base in the United Kingdom so that service members could view the plane.

For the Truth Social post, Trump said the move was made at "the entire Base's request" and involved "virtually no deviation of flightpath."

Asked whether a security issue prompted the decision, Trump said, "No, why would there be?" He also denied that there were any technical problems with the aircraft, as reported by CNN.

"We sent it a little bit early, so that we could let them see it, the base, the whole base came out and saw the plane, and then we landed," Trump said in a gaggle aboard the new Air Force One. He later transferred from the older aircraft to the new plane for the second leg of his journey back to the United States, CNN reported.

Trump said he faces credible threats from Iran "all the time" but did not confirm whether there was any renewed threat on Wednesday, as the US has carried out several retaliatory strikes against Iran.

"If I go, you go," Trump told reporters travelling with him on the aircraft.

According to CNN, reporters also questioned Trump about being instructed to close window shades in the press cabin during the flight from Turkey to the UK. Responding to the query, Trump said, "You know, you're probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleazebags that we have to deal with."

"They didn't ask me to close mine, but if they did, I would have done it," he added. "These are sick people, so I could see something like that. I didn't know they did that," he further said, CNN reported.

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