There was a Threat, Trump Admits to Secretly Riding a Catering Truck and Then Changing Planes at the Secret Service's Direction

U.S. President Donald Trump/DOK The White House

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump said he followed instructions from the US Secret Service and military when he secretly changed planes in Turkey last month, using a catering truck so that he would not be seen by the public.

"I just followed what they wanted to do. So, I followed the Secret Service and military directions. They wanted me to use another flight, another plane - with the same level of security - but they asked me to do it, so I did it. I did what they said," Trump told reporters upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews from Ohio.

Trump said he was not given many details about the reasons behind the secret maneuver. "I think there is a threat out there. I don't ask too much about it. I often receive many threats," he said.

When asked why flying on Air Force One was considered too dangerous for him but not for reporters, Trump said any plane he was on was more likely to be targeted.

"In my opinion, the plane I was on actually had a greater risk... Because in my opinion, that's the plane they are most likely to target," he said.

The president said he was not surprised when the Secret Service asked him to quietly switch planes.

When asked if he was worried about the possibility of shoulder-fired missiles during his departure from Turkey, Trump said he generally didn't feel bothered: "To be honest, I don't worry about anything. Whatever it is - you know how I am? Yeah, just deal with it."

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Trump's plane change was prompted by Iran's plan to target Trump with a cruise missile as he departed for the NATO summit.