President Trump said this morning that he would not be flying the new Air Force One out of Turkey, but rather the old one. Instead, he’s sending the new one for the troops to look at in the UK:
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 — Everybody is so excited, and we thought that they should be the first. 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! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Now that was this morning, and I assume the new AF1 has been there all day. Trump just took off in the old AF1, headed for the same military base in the UK and will presumably take the new one home from there.
But suspicions have been fueled by this, with some claiming there must be a backstory and maybe a threat against President Trump.
Nick Sortor just pointed out that the press said they were told to keep their window shades in the press cabin closed:
We are wheels up from Ankara as of 8:43 p.m. We have been advised to keep our window shades in the press cabin closed. See you on the other side.
Megan Messerly
White House reporter
POLITICO
He says this isn’t a detail he’s ever heard reported, and doesn’t know if this is out of an abundance of caution or to let people sleep. That was several hours ago, when they went wheels up.
Maybe we’ll learn from Trump if there is a backstory, or maybe not. Perhaps what Trump said was entirely accurate and that’s just it. Or maybe it’s misdirection since Trump is now attacking Iran.
Whatever the case, I’ll let you know if I learn more.