Every episode of The Daily, briefed the morning after, with up to nine more shows in one daily email.

Free for 30 days. No card needed. $4.99 a month after.

All the President’s Planes

12 August 2026 · 24m

Maggie Haberman argues throughout that the administration's chronic lack of transparency and pattern of exaggeration have created a credibility crisis so severe that even legitimate security measures, like a decoy plane to protect the president from a credible Iranian threat, become shrouded in suspicion and confusion. She suggests this self-inflicted erosion of press trust may paradoxically undermine the very safety the secrecy was meant to protect, since officials publicized aspects of the plane switch themselves and then punished reporters for asking about it rather than relying on discreet, trust-based arrangements used by past administrations.

What was discussed

Trump's Turkey plane switch recap1:33

Maggie Habermanassertion
The Qatari plane was rushed into service and lacked the same security specifications as the older Air Force Ones

Trump's press conference Iran comment4:36

Reporterclip
Asked Trump to address speculation that the plane change was due to Iran-related security concerns
Trumpclip
Claims to be Iran's number one assassination target but says he doesn't care because he's doing his job

The catering-cart decoy revealed7:16

Maggie Habermanassertion
Trump used a catering-cart hydraulic lift to secretly transfer to a third plane while a decoy plane carried reporters and staff

Threat credibility and safety unknowns10:51

Maggie Habermanopinion
We don't know if people on the decoy plane knew what was happening or how serious the threat truly was
Rachel Abramsopinion
If either plane were genuinely safe, there would be no need for a decoy at all

Administration's siege mentality and credibility crisis12:31

Maggie Habermanopinion
Past real threats against Trump shape a defensive mindset, but the administration's credibility problems make its account of this incident harder to trust

Historical precedent for presidential decoys18:23

Maggie Habermanassertion
Prior administrations have used decoy tactics with reporters' knowing cooperation, based on mutual trust

Press-administration trust breakdown and safety implications21:07

Maggie Habermanopinion
There is a good argument that the administration's mistrust of the press, and its own disclosure of the plane switch, worked against the president's safety

Officials aboard the decoy plane23:17

The New York Times reportingassertion
Rubio knew of the threat beforehand; it is unclear whether Bessant, Miller, or other staff aboard the decoy plane knew

Colombia earthquake death toll24:10

Search and rescue efforts continued after a deadly earthquake struck Colombia, with at least 181 people confirmed dead, more than 1,300 injured, and 153 buildings collapsed; officials expect the death toll to rise.