President Donald Trump challenged speculation that security concerns prompted him to avoid flying home from Turkey aboard the new Air Force One, saying the aircraft is instead being sent to the United Kingdom so American service members can tour it.
Speaking during a news conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the decision had nothing to do with threats from Iran.
“It’s flying to Europe, to one of the big bases,” Trump said of the aircraft. “Two or three of the big bases where we can show it to the people. And we’ll be going home by normal methods.”
He added that the plane would stop at “a couple of bases,” including one where “the soldiers can see it, because it’s truly magnificent.”
New Air Force One to Visit Mildenhall
Earlier in the day, Trump announced on Truth Social that the aircraft would travel to RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom before returning to the United States.
“To honor our brave men and women of the Military, we are sending the brand new, and truly spectacular, Air Force One to Mildenhall Air Force Base, in the United Kingdom, to give them a chance to tour the Aircraft,” Trump wrote. “Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first.”
He said he would instead fly aboard the previous presidential aircraft for the short trip from Turkey to the United Kingdom.
“For old time’s sake, we’ll be taking the former Air Force One, from Turkey to Mildenhall, a short trip that is totally worth doing in order to give our Great Military Heroes a chance to appreciate our beautiful new addition to the Air Force Fleet!” he wrote.
The aircraft, unveiled last month, was provided by Qatar and has been showcased by Trump as the newest addition to the presidential fleet.
Trump Addresses Iranian Threats
During his press conference, reporters asked whether concerns about Iran influenced his travel arrangements following renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Trump denied that security considerations were behind the decision but acknowledged that Iranian threats against him remain real.
“Well, I speak about it a lot because, you know, the life of a president is very dangerous,” Trump said, adding that he is “Number 1 on the kill list for Iran.”
“They’re lovely people,” he quipped. “I’m number 1.”
Trump has previously said Iran has targeted him in retaliation for the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. American officials have publicly disclosed multiple Iranian-linked threats against him in recent years.
‘A Very Dangerous Profession’
The president also reflected on the risks associated with serving in office, noting that he has survived multiple assassination attempts during his political career.
“You know what a race car driver is? One tenth of 1%,” he said. “A bull rider—that looks pretty dangerous to me—it’s one tenth of 1%.”
Turning to one of the reporters, Trump joked, “You should have told me. You’re an excellent reporter. You should have told me that years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have run. It’s a very dangerous profession.”
Despite the threats, Trump said they have not affected his willingness to serve.
“I don’t really care” about the danger, he said, “because I’m doing my job.”
He ended on a lighter note, contrasting the grim reality of the threats with his popularity online.
“I like being number 1 on TikTok better,” Trump said, “but I’m number 1 on the list for killing.”
Trump made the remarks as he concluded the NATO summit in Ankara before continuing his overseas trip, while the new Air Force One headed separately to the United Kingdom for its first public appearance before American military personnel stationed overseas.
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