Further information has emerged about the events of the afternoon of July 8 in Turkey, when US President Donald Trump was seen boarding Air Force One but later left in a catering truck and continued his journey on another plane. The operation was carried out after US intelligence agencies obtained information about an Iranian plot to attack the American president.
CNN and NBC report that Trump decided to be accompanied by only a small circle of people who were considered the safest choice.
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The group traveling with the president included aide Natalie Harp, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and Oval Office Operations Director Walt Nauta.
A source cited by the Daily Mail said the inclusion of 35-year-old Harp in Trump’s secure journey was an understandable decision. Another source described her as the president’s “first choice” to have by his side.
Speaking about the relationship between Trump and Harp, the source said that “there is no one closer to the president on his team.” She is also known as “his human printer” because she usually hands the president printed copies of articles and social media posts he wants to read.
Harp, Nauta and Scavino were described as Trump’s “three bodyguards” by another source familiar with the operation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and White House Communications Director Stephen Chang remained aboard Air Force One.
According to CBS, Rubio and Bessent remained aboard Air Force One to protect the line of succession in case anything happened to Trump.
If the president were to die or become unable to carry out his duties, Vice President J.D. Vance would assume responsibility. He is followed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, while the Secretary of State and the Treasury Secretary come later in the line of succession.
Sources cited by international networks said Rubio and Bessent were aware of the alternative, secret route taken by Trump.
A source close to Rubio said that “some Cabinet members were willing to risk their lives for the president,” before asking: “Can the same be said of everyone on the plane?”
The same source claimed that senior Cabinet officials, including Rubio, knew Trump was not aboard Air Force One. However, even they “were not sure” which other people were traveling alongside the president.
Also aboard the flight used as a “deterrent” against a potential attack by Iran were Deputy National Security Adviser Mike Needham, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf, speechwriter Ross Worthington, Trump’s personal aide Chris Ambrosini and Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters.
