CIA Reportedly Doubted Israeli Intelligence Behind Trump’s Secret Plane Switch

CIA analysts reportedly expressed skepticism about Israeli intelligence regarding an alleged Iranian assassination plot that prompted President Trump to secretly change aircraft while departing Turkey last month, according to a new report.

Intelligence Described as Low Confidence

According to the report, Israel shared information about the threat with the CIA, but agency analysts did not find it convincing. One official described the intelligence as Israeli-derived rather than independently confirmed by the US, characterizing it as low confidence. Another official noted that given previous close calls involving the president, security teams were unwilling to take any risks.

Questions Over Israeli Intelligence Motives

A former official suggested the incident reflected a broader pattern in which some Israeli intelligence reporting appeared aimed at influencing presidential decisions as much as informing them. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly chose to fly on the same plane despite being briefed on the threat, suggesting some officials viewed the risk differently.

Conflicting Reports on the Threat’s Nature

Earlier reporting indicated Iran may have been planning to use shoulder-fired missiles to target Trump’s aircraft, with intelligence suggesting Iranian operatives had identified his precise location in Ankara. The incident adds to a broader pattern of alleged threats against Trump since the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, including a separate thwarted plot targeting officials at a White House event earlier this year.

White House Response

Officials declined to directly confirm details but stated that the Secret Service successfully protected the president, emphasizing that all necessary safety measures were taken amid ongoing threats.