Peak tension surrounding the President: Trump spotted playing golf next to an air defense system
After unidentified aircraft penetrated the airspace around Trump's golf estate in Bedminster, Avenger systems were deployed at the complex to protect the President. This comes after it was revealed that Trump was smuggled off the presidential plane in a catering cart during his recent visit to Turkey.
Short-range air defense systems of the Avenger type were spotted in photos and videos taken while US President Donald Trump was playing golf at his resort in New Jersey during the final round of a major golf tournament held at the site, the news site TWZ reported.
In one of the photos, Trump is seen holding a golf club, while in the background an Avenger system is visible behind a barbed-wire fence. Journalists noted that another photo shows an Avenger system, although it is unclear if it is the same system. Trump is also protected by other systems that are not visible to the eye, including electronic warfare equipment.
While Trump was in Bedminster, F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted two civilian aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions in the area.
"All civilian aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by NORAD aircraft," the command stated on X.
On August 1, the White House released a video showing Trump talking to military personnel in Bedminster, with an Avenger system visible in the background.
Smuggled in a catering cart
Earlier today, The Washington Post reported that an Iranian threat to assassinate Trump led to an unusual deception operation last month, during which the President was secretly transferred between planes using a catering truck.
While the White House presented the old Air Force One as the plane on which the President departed from Turkey, Trump actually flew on a smaller military aircraft, without journalists or even some administration officials knowing about it.
The operation took place on July 8, at the conclusion of Trump's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit, and against the backdrop of the resumption of US strikes in Iran following the collapse of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to the report, intelligence officials identified a credible and specific threat to target the President or his plane, and decided to launch a "deception operation" to hide his location.
