Trump’s Air Force One Returns to Washington After Minor Electrical Glitch; Davos Trip Resumes on Backup Aircraft
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump faced a brief disruption in his journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday evening when Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews shortly after takeoff. The White House confirmed that a minor electrical issue prompted the precautionary decision.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the crew detected the electrical fault soon after departure and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to return to base. A reporter traveling on board said the cabin lights flickered briefly, but the crew handled the situation smoothly. No passengers suffered injuries, and the flight never faced any danger.
After making a safe landing, Mr. Trump and his team transferred to a smaller Air Force C-32 aircraft — a modified Boeing 757 — which departed just after midnight local time to resume the transatlantic journey.
The current Air Force One fleet consists of two heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have served for nearly four decades. Boeing is building replacement planes, but delivery delays have slowed the transition. These aircraft feature advanced communication and security systems that allow the president to govern effectively from the air in any situation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added a lighter note by joking about a gifted Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar, which officials are currently retrofitting for future use. She remarked that the new aircraft “sounded better” at the moment but stressed that the president’s safety remains the top priority.
President Trump will address world leaders in Davos on Wednesday. Although the delay pushed back his arrival slightly, his schedule and participation remain unchanged.
