Secret Service Discovers Elevated Tree Stand Overlooking Trump’s Air Force One Arrival Zone in Palm Beach
The Secret Service has uncovered an elevated tree stand positioned with a direct line of sight to the Air Force One staircase routinely used by President Donald Trump at Palm Beach International Airport. The suspicious structure, typically associated with hunting, was discovered on Thursday during routine preparations for the president’s arrival.
Eric Trump, responding on social media, applauded the agents for their swift action and highlighted the stand’s unusual placement. “’Hunting Stand’ — for all the Whitetail on Southern BLVD,” he wrote sarcastically. “Located directly across the street from Palm Beach International Airport, in the median of a major highway… directly facing the Air Force One stairs (200 yds). Ps the Secret Service did a GREAT job finding this.”
“Hunting Stand” – for all the Whitetail on Southern BLVD, located directly across the street from Palm Beach International Airport, in the median of a major highway… directly facing the Air Force One stairs (200yds). Ps the Secret Service did a GREAT job finding this… pic.twitter.com/WiVVKbt7XH
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) October 19, 2025
According to U.S. Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi, the area was unoccupied when agents made the discovery. “There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “While we are not able to provide details about the specific items or their intent, this incident underscores the importance of our layered security measures.”
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed on Sunday that the bureau has taken the lead in the investigation. “Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone,” Patel stated. “No individuals were located at the scene. The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities.”
USSS spotted a suspicious stand near the AF1 zone in Palm Beach.
The FBI is investigating. pic.twitter.com/nMCoVP9mKB
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 19, 2025
The origin and intent behind the tree stand remain unknown, but its placement — 200 yards from where Trump typically descends from the aircraft — has raised serious concerns given the heightened threat level surrounding the 45th president.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of threats against Trump’s life. On July 13, 2024, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was shot in the ear during a rally. The attack killed firefighter Corey Comperatore and injured two others. The assailant was killed by law enforcement on site.
In another recent case, 59-year-old Ryan Routh was convicted on federal charges for attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida. Routh reportedly tried to stab himself in the neck after the verdict was read in court.
While no suspects have yet been identified in the Palm Beach incident, the presence of a concealed observation platform near a high-security flight path is under intense investigation as federal authorities work to determine whether it was part of a premeditated threat or something less nefarious.