SouthernWorldwide.com – President Donald Trump addressed speculation regarding the safety concerns of his flight back from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, amidst reported threats from Iran. He clarified that he would not be traveling on the new Air Force One because the aircraft is scheduled to be dispatched to the United Kingdom.
“It’s flying to Europe, to one of the big bases,” Trump stated. “Two or three of the big bases where we can show it to the people. And we’ll be going home by normal methods.”
Trump elaborated that the aircraft would make stops at “a couple of bases,” with one specific location chosen so that “the soldiers can see it, because it’s truly magnificent.”
NEW AIR FORCE ONE TAKES FLIGHT AS TRUMP UNVEILS REVAMPED PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT
Earlier on Wednesday, in a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that the new aircraft was being sent to Mildenhall Air Force Base in the United Kingdom as a gesture to honor U.S. troops.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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!” he added.
TRUMP SAYS NATO FAILED TWO KEY TESTS DURING HIGH-STAKES TURKEY SUMMIT: ‘NOT HAPPY’
During a press conference, Trump was questioned about circulating rumors that he was opting for the older presidential aircraft to depart Turkey due to potential threats from Iran.
“Well, I speak about it a lot because, you know, the life of a president is very dangerous,” Trump remarked, further noting that he is “No. 1 on the kill list for Iran.”
“They’re lovely people. I’m No. 1.”
TRUMP FACES UNPRECEDENTED THIRD ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Trump, who has reportedly been the target of at least three assassination attempts, has frequently spoken about the inherent dangers associated with leading the free world, citing a mortality rate of “5.2%” for U.S. presidents.
“You know what a race car driver is? One tenth of 1%,” Trump continued. “A bull rider – that looks pretty dangerous to me – it’s one tenth of 1%.”
“You should have told me,” the president jested. “You’re an excellent reporter. You should have told me that years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have run. It’s a very dangerous profession.”
Trump concluded by stating he doesn’t “really care” about the threats or the danger involved, “because I’m doing my job.”
“I like being No. 1 on TikTok better,” Trump quipped, “but I’m No. 1 on the list for killing.”
