Ankara: US President Donald Trump recently addressed questions regarding security protocols aboard the presidential aircraft while travelling from a NATO summit in Turkey. During the flight, reporters accompanying the President enquired why they had been instructed to keep their window blinds closed.

According to a report by The Associated Press, when asked about the instruction, the President suggested it was due to "sleazebags over here" — an apparent reference to Iran. The President further addressed concerns about potential threats from Iran, stating, "I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list, before you. But if I go, you go. Perhaps someday you want to change professions."

The conversation occurred as the President opted to use an older, legacy Air Force One aircraft for the return journey rather than a newer jet that had recently been gifted and retrofitted. This decision to switch aircraft prompted widespread scrutiny regarding the security systems of the newer jet. While some reports raised concerns about the lack of specific defensive capabilities on the newly unveiled aircraft, the White House maintained that the plane is "safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission."

The President had previously insisted that he was flying the older model "for old time's sake," while noting that both aircraft would make a stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom to greet US service members. The President denied that the change in aircraft was driven by specific security intelligence regarding Iran, characterising the move as a scheduled logistical adjustment.

The interaction marked the persistent tension surrounding the President's security arrangements, particularly in light of ongoing regional instability. Throughout the NATO summit, the President had frequently highlighted his belief that he remained a primary target for assassination attempts by Iranian leadership, citing his administration's past actions, including the 2020 strike that killed Qassem Soleimani.