Donald Trump's security detail arranged for him to fly on a decoy aircraft after receiving intelligence about Iranian assassination threats during the 2024 presidential campaign, The Daily Beast reported Thursday.
The security measures were implemented after law enforcement warned Trump's team that Iranian operatives had infiltrated the United States with access to surface-to-air missiles. According to The Daily Beast, concerns intensified following what officials described as an unsuccessful attempt on Trump's life at his West Palm Beach, Florida golf course on September 15.
The then-former president's distinctive private aircraft, known as Trump Force One, was deemed a potential vulnerability during takeoffs and landings. In response, Trump traveled on an alternative aircraft owned by Steve Witkoff, a real estate executive and friend, The Daily Beast reported, citing details from an upcoming book by Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles accompanied Trump on Witkoff's aircraft, while other campaign staff, including Co-Campaign Manager Chris LaCivita, remained on Trump Force One.
"The boss ain't riding with us today," LaCivita told staff members, The Daily Beast reported. "We had to put him into another plane. This is nothing but a sort of test for how things may happen in the future."
The security arrangements prompted concerns among some staff members who worried about becoming potential collateral casualties if Trump's regular aircraft were targeted. The protective measures also included the deployment of multiple motorcades that day – one carrying Trump and another transporting campaign personnel.
