Was Karoline Leavitt on Trump's ‘decoy plane’ in Türkiye? White House exit sparks theories; ‘the timing…’
Karoline Leavitt will leave her White House role, citing family priorities. Her departure sparked online theories linking it to Trump’s decoy flight in Türkiye.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, one of Donald Trump's most trusted aides in his second term as President, has announced that she will leave her role at the end of the month.

One of the most vehement defenders of Trump's agenda each day from the White House press room, Leavitt's departure came as a shock to many. The 28-year-old, who recently became a mother for the second time, took time away during her pregnancy but returned to her duties as the press secretary after the hiatus. As she returned in June, Leavitt looked more determined than ever to continue working at the White House.
As a result, many wondered what exactly happened that prompted Karoline Leavitt to announce her departure a little more than a month after her much-anticipated return. While the official reason for leaving was cited as focusing on family, the internet thought otherwise. They linked it to the recent incident in which Trump had to escape from Türkiye secretly amid a threat from Iran.
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Was Karoline Leavitt On Trump's Decoy Plane In Türkiye?
Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One, leaving Ankara Airport in Türkiye after his July 7-8 NATO leaders' summit visit. While the incident was not public then, recent reports revealed that Trump was initially seen publicly boarding Air Force One, but was moved to a smaller military aircraft in an airport catering truck by the Secret Service.
Members of Trump's staff, as well as the press pool, were made to believe that Trump flew on the Air Force One “decoy plane” to Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. CBS News reported on Wednesday that more than 100 staff members and reporters were on the decoy plane, and it included Karoline Leavitt.
A video has also surfaced of Leavitt on the Air Force One decoy plane on the evening of July 8 at Ankara Airport.
Here's the viral video:
Sudden Resignation Sparks Theory
Amid the sudden resignation of Karoline Leavitt, a section of social media hypothesized that Karoline Leavitt was impacted by being on the decoy plane. Although there is no confirmation, many believe that the dangers of being with the US President caught up with Leavitt in the incident at Ankara Airport.
“So, the soon to depart, young mother and wife, Karoline Leavitt was on the decoy plane and is now leaving the employ of the White House,” said one. “Things that make me go hmmm. I'm not shocked that she's leaving but to me, the timing is interesting.”
“I'm sure it's just a coincidence that Karoline Leavitt resigned as White House press secretary after being an unwitting decoy on Air Force One,” influencer Alex Cole wrote.
What Karoline Leavitt Said
Karoline Leavitt, in her announcement, said that she is leaving the post to focus on her family. Trump said in a Truth Social Post that Leavitt will continue to be a close aide of him even though she is leaving her role as the White House Press Secretary.
“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life,” Leavitt wrote in an elaborate X post.
ABOUT THE AUTHORShamik BanerjeeShamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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