President Donald Trump made a dark joke aboard Air Force One after telling a female reporter she would die alongside him if Iran ever targeted the presidential aircraft.
Asked whether he was aware of any credible Iranian threat against Air Force One, Trump said he faces threats constantly and is “No. 1 on their list, before you,” before adding, “But if I go, you go, right?”
The exchange took place during a press gaggle on the flight home from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The reporter replied “Mmhm,” and began asking, “But was there a specific—” before Trump interrupted, saying, “Perhaps one day you want to change professions.” He then turned to a male reporter for another question.
Jet swap that preceded the joke
The exchange followed an unusual change involving Air Force One.
On July 8, Trump said he would return from the NATO summit aboard the existing Air Force One instead of the $400 million Boeing 747 gifted to the United States by Qatar. He told reporters the newer jet was flying to European military bases so American troops could see what he described as a “truly magnificent” aircraft.
That explanation did not satisfy everyone. People familiar with the matter told The New York Times the plane swap was a security precaution tied to renewed hostilities with Iran and carried out at the recommendation of the Secret Service.
Passengers also noticed heightened security during the flight. When asked why window blinds had been ordered shut, Trump replied it was “because you’re probably on a dangerous flight,” an apparent reference to threats from Iran.
On another leg of the trip, he offered a more pointed explanation, saying the blinds were closed “because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleazebags that we have to deal with.”
Trump casts himself as Iran’s top target
Throughout the NATO summit, Trump repeatedly portrayed himself as Tehran’s primary target. He said Iran’s leadership “may be gone, who knows and you know what, I may be gone too, because I’m their No. 1 target.”
He also told reporters that danger comes with the presidency, describing it as a hazardous job and repeating his claim that he sits at the top of Iran’s target list.
His comments echoed remarks from February 2025, when he warned that any Iranian-linked assassination attempt against him would prompt overwhelming retaliation. At the time, he said those responsible would be “obliterated” and that he had already issued standing orders to that effect.
Renewed U.S. strikes on Iran
Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran was “over” after renewed violence around the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in Ankara, he told reporters, “I’m not sure I want to make a deal with them,” adding, “We can play games, but I’m not sure I want to make a deal,” and, “Let’s just finish the job.”
The renewed fighting followed Iranian attacks on commercial shipping. According to U.S. Central Command, American forces launched a new round of strikes in response, targeting about 90 Iranian military sites, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage facilities, naval capabilities and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline.