VIDEO: Trump Says Iran Wants to ‘Take Out’ US Leader as Air Force One Shades Stay Closed

Trump Raises the Iran Threat Again

President Trump told reporters Wednesday that Iran is still targeting him for assassination, saying he is “on every list” and calling the threat part of the danger that comes with the presidency. During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said, “They want to take out the US leader, me,” and added that he has been “maybe lucky” so far. He also described Iran’s leaders in blunt terms, calling them “evil, sick people” and “a bunch of scum.” That is not exactly diplomatic poetry, but nobody was expecting a Hallmark card from a president discussing assassination threats.

Air Force One Change Sparks Questions

The travel wrinkle came when Trump did not fly home on the newer Air Force One aircraft. Instead, he said the newer plane was being sent to Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom so American service members could tour it. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the aircraft was “brand new” and “truly spectacular,” and that military personnel should be the first to see it. He said he would take the former Air Force One from Turkey to Mildenhall for “old time’s sake.” The official reason, then, was morale and military appreciation. Naturally, in Washington, any changed flight plan is treated like a spy novel with better catering.

Reporters Press Him on Security

At a press conference in Ankara, reporters asked whether the aircraft switch was tied to assassination concerns. Trump did not confirm that. He said, “The life of a president is very dangerous,” and added, “I’m number one, so I don’t know. I can’t tell you that, but I don’t really care, because I’m doing my job.” When pressed again about why he was not flying home on the newer plane, Trump said, “It’s going to Europe,” explaining that it would visit multiple bases so troops could see it. That answer left room for official scheduling, security caution, and the usual government habit of telling the public just enough to keep everyone guessing.

Window Shades Ordered Closed

According to the report, the White House press pool was later advised to keep the window shades closed on Air Force One after taking off from Ankara at 8:43 p.m. local time. It was not clear whether that instruction was due to security concerns. The detail stood out because it came as U.S. forces were reportedly carrying out strikes in Iran, and because Trump had just spoken at length about Iranian threats against him. In normal times, closed window shades are a small travel note. In this setting, they become one more breadcrumb in a trail that official Washington will surely explain with maximum vagueness and a straight face.

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