Trump Plane Swap Documentary Set on Netflix
Netflix Sets Trump Doc About Secret Plane Swap in Turkey
By Ethan Shanfeld
In July, leaving a NATO summit in Turkey, Donald Trump was captured on camera boarding Air Force One. However, the president did not fly back to the United States on that plane. Instead, he slipped out the other side and onto a secret catering truck, leaving a group of reporters on board, unaware that the POTUS had departed.
A new Netflix documentary titled The Decoy Plane, premiering September 4, delves into this elaborate White House ruse, featuring footage from and interviews with various reporters who were aboard Air Force One at the time.
"I see those catering vehicles up against the side of Air Force One… I have never seen that before," says the AP’s chief White House photographer, Alex Brandon, in the trailer.
The documentary explores how the reporters boarded the aircraft after Trump and took their seats. Then, "the second unusual thing happens," Brandon reflects. "We’re told by the White House staff that we should lower our window shades." When journalists inquired about this request, the staffers replied, "Secret Service says to," raising Brandon’s suspicions.
It was later revealed that the deception occurred due to perceived threats from Iran against Trump. He had previously announced his plan to depart Turkey on an older version of Air Force One, donated by Qatar, but instead, he was whisked off the plane he was seen boarding and onto a military jet. On a stop in Britain, Trump was secretly transported back to the older aircraft filled with reporters.
When the truth emerged, Trump faced backlash for misleading reporters and putting them—and White House staff—in potential danger.
Part of Netflix’s "Instadocs" series, The Decoy Plane is executive produced by Josh Tyrangiel, Connor Schell, showrunner Steve Yaccino, Libby Geist, Aaron Cohen, and Alexa Conway. Amel Guettatfi and Rakhee Jethwa serve as supervising producers. The production company is Words + Pictures.
Watch the trailer for The Decoy Plane below.
