Overview
- Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz and a small group departed Doha for Athens on a privately chartered jet after coordinating with White House contacts and regional officials, with Bruesewitz paying for the aircraft.
- The operation required rapid overflight and landing approvals credited to Qatari and Saudi authorities, and U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle received the travelers on arrival.
- Bruesewitz denies receiving special treatment, saying he organized the plan himself and that no “special assistance” was provided by the administration.
- Thousands of Americans remain stuck as major carriers — including United, American, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa — suspended regional service following strikes and retaliatory fire.
- The State Department says it is launching free military and charter departures from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and continues directing citizens to the 24/7 task-force line and STEP registration, even as callers reported a recorded message offering no evacuation earlier in the week.