President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on July 7 for the NATO Leaders Summit, accompanied by a delegation of approximately 1,400 personnel. The visit has drawn attention for both its diplomatic agenda and the extraordinary security protocols surrounding the U.S. leader.
Trump Signals Confrontational Stance at NATO
Before the summit formally began, Trump reiterated several hardline positions. He renewed his demand for U.S. control over Greenland, declared the interim nuclear accord with Iran effectively over, and threatened to sever all trade relations with Spain. The remarks set a combative tone for the alliance gatherings.
Presidential Waste Security Protocol Draws Scrutiny
Among the more unusual aspects of the visit is a long-standing security measure governing the president’s biological waste. According to Türkiye Today, Trump’s bodily waste will not touch foreign soil during his stay. Instead, a personal toilet system collects the material, which is monitored closely by Secret Service agents.
The protocol aims to prevent foreign intelligence services from analyzing the president’s excretions for health information or other exploitable data. The practice has historical precedent. In 2006, President George W. Bush reportedly employed similar measures during a visit to Vienna, with even his used toilet paper flown back to the U.S. Air Base at Ramstein, according to HuffPost.
The strategy is not exclusive to the United States. French investigative journalists Régis Genté and Mikhail Rubin have reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s team collects his feces in special bags, packing them into suitcases for transport back to Russia. The practice allegedly traces back to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who reportedly ordered the analysis of Mao Zedong’s waste to assess the Chinese leader’s health.
Logistical Footprint Unmatched at Summit
Trump’s security footprint in Ankara extends well beyond the restroom. The presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” was shipped across the Atlantic for the trip. The U.S. political delegation is the largest at the summit, occupying hotels adjacent to the U.S. Embassy. Trump’s hotel has been entirely taken over by his staff and security detail; no other guests are permitted to stay there during the visit.
Trump Claims Credit for FIFA Decision on Balogun
Separately, the president inserted himself into a sporting controversy involving the U.S. men’s national team. At a White House event, Trump claimed he personally intervened with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to delay the enforcement of a red card suspension for striker Folarin Balogun following a match against Belgium.
“I’m the one that got them to do it,”
Trump declared in front of cameras, adding that he didn’t know what the hell a red card was
despite describing himself as a sports enthusiast.
“I’m a person that loves sports and was a good athlete and I understand sports really well, really well.”
“That wasn’t a foul… that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other. Like, you can’t take your foot and properly place it on somebody else’s foot… these were two great athletes that got tangled up.”
“This referee is a little bit suspect,” he suggested. “If you check his past, I don’t want to say that because I don’t like to create controversy, but very suspect.”
Balogun ultimately played in the Round of 16 match, where the United States fell 4-1 to Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. Goals from Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken, and Romelu Lukaku secured the victory for the European side, who advance to face Spain in the quarter-finals.
