The White House is pushing back on questions about the safety of the newly retrofitted Air Force One after President Donald Trump chose to fly aboard the older presidential jet when leaving Turkey on Wednesday.
The unusual travel arrangement sparked speculation that security concerns may have played a role, particularly as Trump has repeatedly said he is a target of Iran.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung insisted there was nothing to worry about.
“The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff,” Cheung said.
He also suggested the administration sometimes uses deception as part of its security strategy.
“As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal — including distraction and misdirection — to address those threats,” he said.
Trump left the NATO summit in Ankara aboard the older baby blue Air Force One for a flight to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. The newer aircraft, which was gifted by Qatar and later retrofitted for presidential use, met him there before carrying him back to the United States.
Before departing, Trump told reporters he was taking the older plane "for old times' sake" and said the newer aircraft was being flown separately so troops stationed at Mildenhall could see it.
When reporters later asked whether he avoided the new plane because of threats from Iran, Trump didn't directly answer. Instead, he emphasized that he believes Iran considers him a top target.
“I’m No. 1 on the kill list for Iran,” Trump said.
Asked again why he wasn't flying on the retrofitted Boeing, Trump replied that it was “going to a couple of bases so the soldiers can see it because it’s truly magnificent.”
Reporters aboard the older Air Force One were also instructed to keep their window shades closed during the flight from Turkey to the U.K., although they were not given a reason. When asked about it, Trump joked that it was probably because of the “sleazebags over here.”
The flight came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high. Iran shares a border with Turkey, and Trump used the NATO summit to declare that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was "over." The U.S. also renewed strikes on Iran after the country was accused of attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Throughout the summit, Trump continued to argue that he faces assassination threats from Iran.
“I’m number one on the list for killing,” he said.
