Journalists Unaware Of Trump's Plane Swap Express Anger: 'We Take Risks, Not On President's Behalf'
News world Journalists Unaware Of Trump's Plane Swap Express Anger: 'We Take Risks, Not On President's Behalf' Journalists Unaware Of Trump's Plane Swap Express Anger
News world Journalists Unaware Of Trump's Plane Swap Express Anger: 'We Take Risks, Not On President's Behalf' Journalists Unaware Of Trump's Plane Swap Express Anger: 'We Take Risks, Not On President's Behalf' Published By, Last Updated: August 12, 2026, 01:59 IST About a dozen journalists travelling in a separate section of Air Force One did not know about the switch and later flew out on the original aircraft. US President Donald Trump gestures in front of Air Force One after disembarking from the older VC-25A Air Force One at Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall in Mildenhall. (AFP file photo) Journalists who travelled with US President Donald Trump last month have expressed anger after reportedly being kept unaware of a secret operation that moved him off Air Force One while they remained on board amid an apparent Iranian threat.
The Washington Post reported that Trump was secretly moved from the presidential aircraft in Turkey on July 8, with his security team using a catering truck to transfer him to a smaller US Air Force aircraft. About a dozen journalists travelling in a separate section of Air Force One did not know about the switch and later flew out on the original aircraft. The move has raised questions over whether the journalists were unknowingly used as decoys while Trump was moved to safety. ‘That’s Not My Job’ One White House reporter told The Washington Post that journalists accept a degree of risk while covering the president, but said they should not be expected to protect him. “When you sign up to work at the White House, even as a civilian, part of your job is to defend the president," the reporter said.
“That’s not my job. I cover the president. Reporters take risks as part of the job, but not on behalf of the president." The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had warned the US about a possible shoulder-fired missile attack on Air Force One. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials remained on the aircraft. Pool reporters also noted an unusual Secret Service order for the plane’s window shades to be lowered during take-off. (With inputs from AFP) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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