Trump Speaks Aboard Air Force One About Possible Iran Threat, Tells Reporters Traveling With Him: "If I Go, You Go Too, Right?"

The subsequent remark to the press corps present caused a stir. "But if I go, you go too, right?" Trump reportedly said – a statement that reporters on site interpreted as meaning that the accompanying media members would also perish in the event of an attack on the aircraft. Trump reportedly laughed briefly afterward and added: "So maybe one day you'll want to change professions."

Background: Ankara and the Press Conference

The incident occurred on the return flight from a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara. Trump had previously been asked at a press conference in Ankara why he had not departed aboard the new presidential aircraft. He had said there that he is "number 1 on Iran's death list."

The choice of aircraft had previously triggered speculation about possible security risks. Trump did not return from Ankara aboard the new aircraft donated by Qatar, but instead on an older version of Air Force One. The British airbase RAF Mildenhall, where the new presidential aircraft had been temporarily stationed, had also been mentioned in media reports in the preceding days in connection with the Iran crisis.

Security Debate Over the New Presidential Aircraft

Already in Ankara, Trump had emphasized at a press conference that he was at the very top of Tehran's list. He told reporters who asked about the security of the presidential aircraft: "Ich bin die Nummer eins auf der Todesliste des Iran." Trump himself has, according to his own statements, repeatedly spoken about possible successful assassination attempts on his person.

According to dpa-AFX, the journalists' question aboard also related to speculation about a possible Iranian threat in the context of the Iran war, as well as to Trump's own repeatedly expressed references suggesting an assassination attempt on him could succeed. Reporters aboard assessed that Trump had "used these speculations as a joke at the expense of others."

The new presidential aircraft, which according to dpa-AFX Trump had received as a gift from Qatar, had repeatedly come up for discussion in the preceding weeks due to security concerns. Trump himself had further fueled these speculations by publicly pointing to possible risks for the aircraft. The switch to the older Air Force One for the return flight was interpreted by observers as a possible precautionary measure.

Tensions With Iran

The new aircraft had been flown prior to the NATO summit in Ankara, among other destinations, to the British airbase RAF Mildenhall. This deployment had triggered speculation in British and US media about its intended use and possible security questions. Trump used the older aircraft for the trip to Ankara and back.

Trump's remark to the journalists comes amid a phase of heightened tensions between the US and Iran. According to dpa-AFX, the background is an ongoing conflict that has been referred to in media as the "Iran war." In this context, several US media outlets had reported on possible retaliatory strikes by Tehran.

Reactions of the Press Corps

According to dpa-AFX, the reaction of the accompanying press corps to Trump's statement was subdued. Although the remark was delivered in a joking tone – Trump reportedly laughed briefly – reporters nevertheless found the words unusual. The scene was documented by several journalists present.

Trump had publicly stated on several occasions in the past that he expects assassination attempts on his person. These remarks form the background for the recent speculation about the security of the presidential aircraft. In Ankara, he reaffirmed this view with reference to his alleged top position on the Iranian "death list."

The reporting on the incident is based essentially on accounts from reporters traveling with the president and on Trump's own public statements at the Ankara press conference. dpa-AFX reported from the datelines Washington and Ankara. According to the available sources, there was initially no official confirmation or denial from the White House regarding the specific wording aboard.

The episode throws a spotlight on the relationship between the US president and the accompanying press. Observers noted that Trump had repeatedly addressed journalists directly in the past and at times sharply criticized them. The recent remark was viewed against this backdrop as part of this pattern.

Open Questions About the Threat Situation

According to the available reports, it remained unclear whether, at the time of the return flight, there were concrete indications of an Iranian threat against Air Force One. According to dpa-AFX, the journalist's question related to "speculation" about such a threat. Trump neither expressly confirmed nor denied these speculations in his answer, but instead referred to an abstract standing threat.

Overall, the incident shows how tense the situation between the US and Iran is currently perceived to be. Trump's public affirmation of being "number one on Iran's death list," as well as his remark to the accompanying journalists, underscore this perception. Against this backdrop, the trip to Ankara took place under particular scrutiny from international media.

The article was distributed by dpa-AFX with the datelines Washington and Ankara and is dated July 9, 2026. APA picked up the report in its own coverage. Further details, such as on possible security precautions aboard or a statement from the White House, could not be drawn from the available sources.