New revelations have emerged about the events of the afternoon of July 8 in Turkey, when U.S. President Donald Trump, appeared to be boarding Air Force One—only to be he was secretly transported in a supply truck so he could travel on another aircraft, as U.S. intelligence agencies had information about an Iranian plot to target the U.S. president.
According to reports by CNN and NBC, Trump chose to have his assistant—who frequently accompanies him on his trips—travel with him for greater security: Natalie Harp, the White House deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, and the director of operations for the Oval Office, Walt Naute.
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A source cited by the Daily Mail reported that, in particular, the decision to have 35-year-old Harp travel safely with the president was a no-brainer. A second source said she was Trump’s “first choice” to accompany him. “No one is closer to the president on his team,” the source explained, referring to Trump’s relationship with Harp, who has been dubbed his “human printer” because of her habit of giving him printed copies of articles and social media posts the president wants to read.
A separate source familiar with the trip described Harp, Naouta, and Scavino as Trump’s “three bodyguards.”
In contrast, those who remained on Air Force One included, among others, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and White House Communications Director Stephen Chang.
According to CBS, Rubio and Bessent remained on the presidential aircraft to maintain the line of succession in case something happened to Trump. According to the same source, should the president die or become unable to perform his duties, Vice President Jay D. Vance would assume power, followed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Next in line is the Secretary of State, followed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sources cited by international news networks report that Rubio and Bessent were aware of Trump’s secret alternate route. “Some members of the cabinet were willing to risk their lives for the president,” revealed a source close to Rubio, who asked: “Can the same be said of everyone who was on the plane?”
The same source confirmed that high-ranking members of the cabinet, including Rubio, knew full well that Trump was not on Air Force One, although even they “were not certain” who else was accompanying him.
Also on the flight, which served as a “decoy” to prevent a possible Iranian strike, were Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Niddam, White House Chief of Staff Will Scharf, speechwriter Ross Worthington, Trump’s personal assistant Chris Ambrosini, and Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters.
Source: Proto Thema
