This is almost all you need for the weekend’s “Skeets and Giggles.” Throw in the anti-aircraft truck next to him golfing and you have a complete unraveling of all of his AI “he-man“ personae.
Golf carts with drone ports on top and golf-bag launched interceptor missiles. All from no-bid contracts given to new companies that the Trump sons recently invested in.
If I was a member of the White House press corps, I’d be seriously considering a transfer request after those shenanigans. It’s one thing to knowingly take the risk of accompanying the president on a flight, it’s another thing altogether to be unwittingly used as a decoy/bait when there’s a credible threat to the president’s life.
Also, Marco Rubio, 3rd in line of power, was left on the plane. So was Stephen Miller. Wonder how they feel or if they even knew. Reports are Trump took Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino and Walt Nauta.
Justified anger is one thing. Having the spine to walk away, and say why, is entirely different. We'll see how many give de facto consent to be used as decoys.
From now on, none of them can ever be sure. Further, if this were an actual "credible threat", the protagonists would simply shoot any of the planes down to make sure they got their intended target. I don't think T and Co are as clever as they think they are. There are too many moving parts and too many people who could have known (during the act) what was going on, or could surmise. This simply doesn't surprise me at all.
There is also this thing that reporters are big on - not being part of the news. So that is another reason they won't leave, it makes a story if they do leave.
Re: "credible threat", the well-sourced "Middle East Eye" website has a different take, citing Turkish intelligence sources that (1), the "threat" was passed on through the Israelis, and (2), it was done with the intent of derailing any US-Iran agreement to end the conflict, and to poison relationship between the US and Turkish President Erdogan. Very well presented article, with a ton of background on the unprecedented degree of security provided by Turkey at and round the airport from which the trump delegation would be leaving:
Turkey suspects Israel fabricated Trump Air Force One assassination plot to derail US-Iran deal
I fail to understand why Iran would want to assassinate the Orange one. Surely his incompetence, ignorance and pathetic negotiating "skills" can only be a positive for them in this conflict.
I agree. I actually question Iran's involvement in this situation. Remember, the "tip" came from Israel. If Iran wants to ruin the US--Trump's doing that for them, for free, and eagerly. They hardly fear a mentally ill, bumbling old man with dementia.
Ane he and BiBi are on the outs. Maybe he set the Mango Monster up for this embarrassment. I'll bet the Mossad has a complete file on his Qatari emolument.
And another handicap the US has is that our govt all falls in line thinking like Trump. He assumes ALL opponents are simple-minded and stupid compared to Him. This chosen blindness to the truth will lead to our defeat at the hands of a country like Iran, who are anything but simple and stupid. He can bully and threaten the Fauci's of this country to back down--that won't work with Iran, which is why that country has been in existence for millennia.
Israel works Trump's puppet strings like a master--he leaves himself open to it--he's not very bright, has deep mental health problems, and dementia on top of it all. There could have been an Iranian threat but I question it because everything Iran does is well-thought-through, strategic and purposeful.
This was unlikely to have had anything to do with Iran. It had to do with Trump once again pulling a trick to get attention and throw journalists off. Cute little Donny.
It would be a monumental win for them. Imagine being the country that took out the American President. It's the same reason the US ran the Doolittle raid in 1942: to put fear and uncertainty into the hearts of the population, which would seriously undermine confidence and commitment to the war. Which is already low.
“But curiously, when the Times returned to the subject in its Aug. 10 story, the White House reissued the same statement with the phrase “including distraction and misdirection” removed without comment.”
Jay’s reporting is always very thoughtful. I read a lot and had not noticed or seen this very telling detail before. Yes, this was a coverup.
Yeah, obviously they all knew the optics of purposely using not only the press but staffers, including Rubio and Stephen Miller as decoys. Trump even snuck back on Air Force One and walked off of it as if he had been on it all along. Why do this once he had landed securely unless he was trying to coverup the fact that he offered everyone on that plane as a decoy.
Then there is the legal problem of misdirecting the WH staff on the whereabouts of Trump. What if there had been a national emergency? Who was in charge? Did this even get discussed? Congress should open a full investigation of this entire plan.
Ps. Trump took Natalie Harp, Scavino and Walt Nauta, his butler with him to meet Hegseth on the alternate jet.
And left Rubio and Miller on the outdated pretend AF-1. Bet THEY knew what was going on, but thought the rest of the world would be too dumb to get it. Geez. And these are the people running our country.
I, for one, think there's another story here that nobody is covering. Money. How much did it cost us, you and me, to have three planes involved in these shenanigans? Couple that with all the other vanity money he has been spending on himself that we have sent to DC via our taxes and you have an incredible amount (East Wing, Reflecting Pool, Gilded Horses, etc., etc. The list is endless). We have gone from the parsimonious Jimmy Carter to this Scrooge McDuck in 46 years. I swear: it's the Fall of Rome. PLUS, would someone . . . maybe a reporter? . . . find out how really "credible" this threat was. After all, Trump lives in a fantasy world where ears heal themselves and would-be assassins drop out of the news. Am I the only one who thinks that this is just the plot of some stupid Hollywood thriller?
Congress should mandate a fixed budget for all White House activities; if he wants to pi** it away of frivolous garbage, there wouldn't any left over for security.
New info about the catering cart has come in.... apparently he left the plane on a TACO truck! Everyone left on Air Force One had to choose between the beef or the fish as the Chicken was gone.
Is there any thing or any one that vile man wouldn't betray to save his own skin? And think about it, Rubio & Miller - he took Natalie Harp (the new "Hopey" eye candy) with him, not you two.
I can't laugh over this, no matter the memes. He was more than OK putting the lives of everyone on that plane in danger. Will we see the legacy media go after him, now. Nope. I don't know how some of those reporters live with themselves.
I want to know if they gave him a chef's hat and smock so he could cosplay on the catering truck. And was the new hair caused by a Ratatouille situation.
Trump didn't get on that smaller jet alone. His little blonde companion and a couple of other lackeys reportedly rode with him, although it's not clear whether they were in the catering truck or if they boarded the jet discreetly.
This is almost all you need for the weekend’s “Skeets and Giggles.” Throw in the anti-aircraft truck next to him golfing and you have a complete unraveling of all of his AI “he-man“ personae.
Golf carts with drone ports on top and golf-bag launched interceptor missiles. All from no-bid contracts given to new companies that the Trump sons recently invested in.
Let's get Q and his team on this.
I prefer “Where’s the chicken?” to “Where’s the beef” when talking about trump, aka Cadet Bonespurs”.
Trump chickens out again: TACO
I was thinking "Where's the Cheeto?"
Or we could take from the three card monte game "Where's the lady? Show me the lady!"
If I was a member of the White House press corps, I’d be seriously considering a transfer request after those shenanigans. It’s one thing to knowingly take the risk of accompanying the president on a flight, it’s another thing altogether to be unwittingly used as a decoy/bait when there’s a credible threat to the president’s life.
Exactly my thoughts! Why aren’t they pissed? And why haven’t they all walked away?
Many are quite angry
Also, Marco Rubio, 3rd in line of power, was left on the plane. So was Stephen Miller. Wonder how they feel or if they even knew. Reports are Trump took Natalie Harp, Dan Scavino and Walt Nauta.
Ooo, interesting!
His favorite "children" because they fall all over him.
Oh!
Justified anger is one thing. Having the spine to walk away, and say why, is entirely different. We'll see how many give de facto consent to be used as decoys.
From now on, none of them can ever be sure. Further, if this were an actual "credible threat", the protagonists would simply shoot any of the planes down to make sure they got their intended target. I don't think T and Co are as clever as they think they are. There are too many moving parts and too many people who could have known (during the act) what was going on, or could surmise. This simply doesn't surprise me at all.
There is also this thing that reporters are big on - not being part of the news. So that is another reason they won't leave, it makes a story if they do leave.
Re: "credible threat", the well-sourced "Middle East Eye" website has a different take, citing Turkish intelligence sources that (1), the "threat" was passed on through the Israelis, and (2), it was done with the intent of derailing any US-Iran agreement to end the conflict, and to poison relationship between the US and Turkish President Erdogan. Very well presented article, with a ton of background on the unprecedented degree of security provided by Turkey at and round the airport from which the trump delegation would be leaving:
Turkey suspects Israel fabricated Trump Air Force One assassination plot to derail US-Iran deal
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-suspects-israel-fabricated-trump-air-force-one-assassination-plot-derail-us-iran-deal
And this, just in from WaPo:
CIA had doubts about Israeli intelligence on a threat to Trump in Turkey that prompted an extraordinary secret flight.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/12/cia-had-low-confidence-iranian-threat-before-trump-switched-planes-turkey/
"Credible threat"?
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other plane!
Perfect!
I fail to understand why Iran would want to assassinate the Orange one. Surely his incompetence, ignorance and pathetic negotiating "skills" can only be a positive for them in this conflict.
I agree. I actually question Iran's involvement in this situation. Remember, the "tip" came from Israel. If Iran wants to ruin the US--Trump's doing that for them, for free, and eagerly. They hardly fear a mentally ill, bumbling old man with dementia.
Ane he and BiBi are on the outs. Maybe he set the Mango Monster up for this embarrassment. I'll bet the Mossad has a complete file on his Qatari emolument.
And another handicap the US has is that our govt all falls in line thinking like Trump. He assumes ALL opponents are simple-minded and stupid compared to Him. This chosen blindness to the truth will lead to our defeat at the hands of a country like Iran, who are anything but simple and stupid. He can bully and threaten the Fauci's of this country to back down--that won't work with Iran, which is why that country has been in existence for millennia.
Israel works Trump's puppet strings like a master--he leaves himself open to it--he's not very bright, has deep mental health problems, and dementia on top of it all. There could have been an Iranian threat but I question it because everything Iran does is well-thought-through, strategic and purposeful.
This was unlikely to have had anything to do with Iran. It had to do with Trump once again pulling a trick to get attention and throw journalists off. Cute little Donny.
It would be a monumental win for them. Imagine being the country that took out the American President. It's the same reason the US ran the Doolittle raid in 1942: to put fear and uncertainty into the hearts of the population, which would seriously undermine confidence and commitment to the war. Which is already low.
Nice job tying it all together and explaining the related events clearly, Jay.
Every day there is a new episode of this pathetic administration-lies , ignoring the constitution and rule of law , on and on -
I just pray that come November democrats take control of the Senate and House and hold these idiots accountable—
“But curiously, when the Times returned to the subject in its Aug. 10 story, the White House reissued the same statement with the phrase “including distraction and misdirection” removed without comment.”
Jay’s reporting is always very thoughtful. I read a lot and had not noticed or seen this very telling detail before. Yes, this was a coverup.
Yeah, obviously they all knew the optics of purposely using not only the press but staffers, including Rubio and Stephen Miller as decoys. Trump even snuck back on Air Force One and walked off of it as if he had been on it all along. Why do this once he had landed securely unless he was trying to coverup the fact that he offered everyone on that plane as a decoy.
Then there is the legal problem of misdirecting the WH staff on the whereabouts of Trump. What if there had been a national emergency? Who was in charge? Did this even get discussed? Congress should open a full investigation of this entire plan.
Ps. Trump took Natalie Harp, Scavino and Walt Nauta, his butler with him to meet Hegseth on the alternate jet.
And left Rubio and Miller on the outdated pretend AF-1. Bet THEY knew what was going on, but thought the rest of the world would be too dumb to get it. Geez. And these are the people running our country.
I, for one, think there's another story here that nobody is covering. Money. How much did it cost us, you and me, to have three planes involved in these shenanigans? Couple that with all the other vanity money he has been spending on himself that we have sent to DC via our taxes and you have an incredible amount (East Wing, Reflecting Pool, Gilded Horses, etc., etc. The list is endless). We have gone from the parsimonious Jimmy Carter to this Scrooge McDuck in 46 years. I swear: it's the Fall of Rome. PLUS, would someone . . . maybe a reporter? . . . find out how really "credible" this threat was. After all, Trump lives in a fantasy world where ears heal themselves and would-be assassins drop out of the news. Am I the only one who thinks that this is just the plot of some stupid Hollywood thriller?
Congress should mandate a fixed budget for all White House activities; if he wants to pi** it away of frivolous garbage, there wouldn't any left over for security.
Not a thriller... just a sloppy comedy. Yet another embarrassment for the USA.
Just another distraction from his disastrous war and THE EPSTEIN FILES.
New info about the catering cart has come in.... apparently he left the plane on a TACO truck! Everyone left on Air Force One had to choose between the beef or the fish as the Chicken was gone.
[groan] Nice pun, lu
Haha, thanks!!
Is the implication here that the threat was known before Trump went to Turkey? If so, why would he undertake such a risk? On whose advice?
Warren, that's exactly the question.
It's who he is.
Is there any thing or any one that vile man wouldn't betray to save his own skin? And think about it, Rubio & Miller - he took Natalie Harp (the new "Hopey" eye candy) with him, not you two.
I can't laugh over this, no matter the memes. He was more than OK putting the lives of everyone on that plane in danger. Will we see the legacy media go after him, now. Nope. I don't know how some of those reporters live with themselves.
I want to know if they gave him a chef's hat and smock so he could cosplay on the catering truck. And was the new hair caused by a Ratatouille situation.
Trump didn't get on that smaller jet alone. His little blonde companion and a couple of other lackeys reportedly rode with him, although it's not clear whether they were in the catering truck or if they boarded the jet discreetly.
Who is his "little blond companion"? Or are you referring to his new wig??
Natalie Harp, 35, who stays up at night with him churning out Truth Social memes.
Diaper maid.