All the President’s Planes
Aug 12, 2026 · 23m
Summary
Maggie Haberman reveals that President Trump used a decoy plane and a catering cart to secretly board a third aircraft due to a credible Iranian threat, despite public claims he switched to an older Air Force One. The administration’s lack of transparency and hostility toward the press undermined trust, complicating security protocols. The episode also notes that key officials were on the decoy plane and briefly covers a deadly earthquake in Colombia.
Topics discussed
Intro: Accenture ad and Trump's Turkey exit mystery
Maggie Haberman joins to reveal the decoy plane story
The Qatari jet, security concerns, and Trump's sudden switch
The flight to the UK: Window shades and suspicious delays
The reveal: Trump escaped via a catering cart to a third plane
The 40-minute lag and the confusion of those on the decoy plane
Iranian threats, siege mentality, and the administration's credibility
Break: Ads for Accenture and The Headlines podcast
Was the decoy necessary? Balancing safety and transparency
Historical precedents: Clinton, Bush, and press trust
The breakdown of trust between the White House and the press
Update: Cabinet members on the decoy plane and Times ethics
Colombia earthquake update and episode credits
Listen ad-free on Castria