President Donald Trump's plane, Air Force One, was forced to abort its flight to Switzerland and return to Washington DC on Tuesday evening after what officials described as a 'minor electrical issue'. The aircraft turned back shortly after departure from Washington, and Trump transferred to another plane, an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757, to continue his journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision was made 'out of an abundance of caution' once the crew detected the fault. A White House pool reporter noted that lights in the press cabin flickered off briefly after takeoff, though no further explanation was given at the time.
The two ageing jets serving as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades, and efforts by Boeing to deliver replacements have faced repeated delays. Controversy arose in 2025 when Qatar's ruling family presented Trump with a luxury Boeing 747-8 for the presidential fleet, a gesture that drew intense scrutiny. The aircraft is currently being refitted to meet US security standards.
Leavitt quipped to reporters that the Qatari jet was sounding like the 'much better' option at that moment. The unscheduled turnaround was expected to delay Trump's arrival in Davos, where the meeting is overshadowed by his threat of tariffs on European countries over Greenland.
Trump told reporters before departing: 'Let's put it this way: it's going to be a very interesting Davos.' Earlier, at a press briefing marking his first anniversary in office, he was asked how far he would go to acquire Greenland and replied: 'You'll find out.'
