Flying out of the NATO summit in Turkey on July 8, 2026, hours after ordering fresh strikes on Iran, Trump held a gaggle with reporters aboard Air Force One. Asked about the risk of an Iranian attack on the plane, he said he faces “a threat all the time,” then turned to the reporter who asked.
“I'm No. 1 on their list, before you,” he said. “But if I go, you go.” He added that perhaps she wanted to change professions.
The remark landed against a real escalation. Trump had told reporters earlier that day that he would “probably” proceed with the operation after three oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “We're going to hit them hard tonight.” Both sides were accusing the other of breaking the terms of the ceasefire he had brokered in June.
One detail undercut the bravado. Trump left Turkey on the older Air Force One rather than the new jet gifted to him by Qatar, a decision made in light of the potential risk (see Trump Declares His Iran Ceasefire 'Over,' Calling Tehran's Leaders 'Scum' as the War Reignites).