Beta The Briev beta is out. Free on iPhone via TestFlight — install it in under a minute.

Join the beta ↗
Briev
Live
Politics

Pod Save America slams Trump's Air Force One explanation as absurd

Former Obama staffers on Pod Save America mocked Donald Trump's claim that the older Air Force One he used was more dangerous, calling the rationale nonsensical.

According to one outlet's investigation, Donald Trump departed a NATO event in Turkey on an older Air Force One and was covertly moved onto a catering vehicle before boarding a classified military plane to the United Kingdom. Trump subsequently claimed the legacy aircraft was at higher risk, suggesting adversaries would aim for the plane he was on. Pod Save America hosts Jon Favreau and Dan Pfeiffer reacted on their latest episode, labeling the justification as the "dumbest thing possible" and noting it validated critics' warnings.

Favreau highlighted that the president's own admission implied the targeted aircraft was the one he occupied, while Pfeiffer mocked the secrecy and the selection of companions like Pete Hegseth. They also pointed out that Marco Rubio was the only senator on the alternate flight who understood the plan. The hosts concluded that, under a previous administration, such decisions would have followed established protocol rather than personal preference.

Why it matters

It reveals how the president's security choices and public statements can spark political criticism and raise questions about protocol.

In this story

Air Force OneTrumpPod Save AmericaNATOcatering truckmilitary aircraft
Get the beta ↗