Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
A new report reveals that Iran allegedly placed assassins in the U.S. with surface-to-air missiles to target Trump's private plane, triggering heightened security measures.
A new report published by Axios has revealed that the threat of an Iranian assassination attempt on Donald Trump during his presidential campaign was far more severe than previously reported.
According to the report, U.S. law enforcement officials warned Trump’s security team that Tehran had deployed assassins within the U.S. armed with surface-to-air missiles, with the aim of targeting his well-known private jet, 'Trump Force One.' However, no evidence has been found linking Iran to two separate assassination attempts.
The threat reached a peak following a failed attempt on Trump’s life at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15. Following the incident, Trump’s security team took extraordinary precautions, including flying Trump on a substitute plane owned by real estate developer Steve Witkoff, while most of his team continued to travel on the original plane.
Campaign managers, Suzy Wills and Chris Lazzibita, made the decision to split, with Wills accompanying Trump on the substitute plane, while Lazzibita remained on the original.
The team did not learn of the covert plan until just before takeoff when they noticed Trump’s seat was empty.
The incident, referred to as the 'ghost flight,' was described as surreal by those on board.
In addition to using the substitute plane, the Secret Service implemented a double vehicle convoy.
On September 18, following a rally in Long Island, the Secret Service warned campaign officials of potential gunfire targeting Trump’s convoy.
In Pennsylvania, the following week, security personnel identified and downed a drone that had been tracking the convoy.
The upcoming book by journalist Alex Isenstadt, due to be released on March 18, also details how Trump was more concerned about the Iranian threat than he publicly showed.
Despite boasting at rallies about the assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, whom he ordered killed in 2020, Trump downplayed the growing threat as it intensified.
According to the report, U.S. law enforcement officials warned Trump’s security team that Tehran had deployed assassins within the U.S. armed with surface-to-air missiles, with the aim of targeting his well-known private jet, 'Trump Force One.' However, no evidence has been found linking Iran to two separate assassination attempts.
The threat reached a peak following a failed attempt on Trump’s life at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15. Following the incident, Trump’s security team took extraordinary precautions, including flying Trump on a substitute plane owned by real estate developer Steve Witkoff, while most of his team continued to travel on the original plane.
Campaign managers, Suzy Wills and Chris Lazzibita, made the decision to split, with Wills accompanying Trump on the substitute plane, while Lazzibita remained on the original.
The team did not learn of the covert plan until just before takeoff when they noticed Trump’s seat was empty.
The incident, referred to as the 'ghost flight,' was described as surreal by those on board.
In addition to using the substitute plane, the Secret Service implemented a double vehicle convoy.
On September 18, following a rally in Long Island, the Secret Service warned campaign officials of potential gunfire targeting Trump’s convoy.
In Pennsylvania, the following week, security personnel identified and downed a drone that had been tracking the convoy.
The upcoming book by journalist Alex Isenstadt, due to be released on March 18, also details how Trump was more concerned about the Iranian threat than he publicly showed.
Despite boasting at rallies about the assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, whom he ordered killed in 2020, Trump downplayed the growing threat as it intensified.