Veteran White House reporter breaks 26-year silence on Bill Clinton's decoy plane during Pak visit in 2000
Washington, DC, August 12
A veteran White House reporter has disclosed after 26 years that the Clinton administration held a briefing for journalists prior to employing a decoy aircraft during the US President's high-risk visit to Pakistan in 2000.
Susan Page, who served as the chief of the White House Correspondents' Association at the time, revealed that officials called her for an off-the-record briefing before President Bill Clinton departed India for Pakistan, according to The Washington Post.
"They told me about the extraordinary security procedures being taken because of the dangers in flying there, including use of the decoy plane," Page said. "Of course, the dangers threatened the journalists covering the trip as well as President Clinton."
The revelation followed a report by The Washington Post stating that President Donald Trump secretly switched aircraft while departing Turkey last month due to a credible Iranian threat. Media personnel and several White House aides were led to believe that Trump remained on board the former Air Force One.
According to the newspaper report, Trump was transported via an airport catering truck to an unmarked Air Force C-32A, while the presidential aircraft carrying press representatives and staff acted as a decoy. Official White House statements had earlier maintained that Trump departed Turkey travelling aboard the former Air Force One.
Page, currently serving as USA Today's Washington bureau chief, noted that she decided to discuss the Clinton-era session because over two decades have elapsed and the deception became obvious upon Clinton's arrival in Islamabad.
"I haven't spoken about this episode before, because of the off-the-record ground rules of the discussion," Page said. "But since more than a quarter-century has passed -- and since the ruse became evident as soon as President Clinton disembarked in Pakistan -- I think it's OK for me to relay it now."
Back in March 2000, an aircraft displaying Air Force One markings touched down in front of television cameras in Islamabad. A Secret Service officer who bore a resemblance to Clinton emerged first. Shortly after, an unmarked plane arrived from which the the then US President actually disembarked.
In contrast, the Trump operation was executed without providing journalists any information regarding the switch in planes or the severity of the threat, according to The Post. Media members travelling aboard the decoy aircraft were directed to keep their window shades lowered throughout.
Defending the security measures without making direct reference to the alleged deception, White House communications director Steven Cheung addressed the matter.
"As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who seek his demise, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats," Cheung said.
Addressing reporters later, Trump stated that he remains under a persistent threat from Iran. "But if I go, you go. Right?" he said. "Perhaps someday you want to change professions."
The White House press pool consists of a designated, rotating group of journalists tasked with accompanying and reporting on the President for the wider media fraternity. This mechanism guarantees an objective and independent record of presidential movements and official activities when general media access is restricted.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The contrast is stark. Clinton's team at least briefed the press off-the-record about the decoy. Trump's team just outright lied to journalists and kept them in the dark. That's a serious difference in how the press is treated. Democracy depends on an informed public, not on deceiving the media.
Honestly, if there's a credible threat to the President's life, I'd say do whatever it takes. The journalists should understand they're not the main priority in such situations. Trump's comment about "if I go, you go" was a bit dark, but he's not wrong about the risks they all take.
The real issue here isn't the decoy plane—that's standard protocol. The problem is the lack of transparency. Clinton's team gave the press a heads-up. Trump's team treated journalists like pawns. It's about respect for the institution of a free press, which is essential in any democracy, including ours.
I find it amusing how the US media is upset about this now. Every country has its own security protocols. In India, we've had VVIPs use decoy vehicles and even body doubles for years. It's survival, not deception. Maybe the journalists should just accept that their safety comes second to the President's.
The off-the-record briefing in 2000 shows how the media and the White House used to work together on national security matters. Today, with Trump, it's all about control and deniability. This isn't a partisan issue—it's about whether we want a press that's independent or one that's kept in the dark. Respect to Susan Page for coming forward.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.