January 21, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump’s official aircraft, Air Force One, was forced to turn around and return to Joint Base Andrews near Washington shortly after departing for Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday evening due to what the White House described as a “minor electrical issue.” The development briefly delayed Trump’s departure to the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, where he is scheduled to address global leaders.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the aircraft crew identified the electrical problem shortly after takeoff from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, prompting a precautionary return “out of an abundance of caution.” Reporters aboard the flight said the lights in the press cabin briefly went out not long after departure, although no further explanation was immediately provided by officials.
The plane landed back in the Washington area at approximately 11:07 p.m. Eastern Time, and Trump and his delegation soon transferred to a backup aircraft — an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used for presidential travel to locations with smaller airports. The C-32 departed just after midnight local time, allowing Trump to continue his journey to Davos with only a brief delay.
Air Force One’s fleet consisting of two heavily modified Boeing 747 aircraft that have served as presidential jets for nearly four decades has faced increasing scrutiny due to maintenance challenges and delays in the delivery of newer replacement aircraft by Boeing. In 2025, the Qatar royal family gifted a Boeing 747-8 jet intended to join the presidential fleet, but it is still undergoing security retrofitting and has not yet entered service.
Incidents involving presidential aircraft are uncommon but not unprecedented. U.S. officials, including cabinet members, have previously experienced mid-flight technical issues requiring returns to base. Despite this, the Federal Aviation Administration and Air Force protocols prioritize safety, meaning even minor irregularities often lead to immediate precautionary actions.
Trump’s Davos agenda remains intact, and he is expected to speak on topics including global economic policy, security partnerships and U.S. leadership on the world stage at the forum. However, the delay underscores the challenges facing the presidential fleet’s aging infrastructure at a moment when one of the West’s most significant diplomatic gatherings unfolds — and as Trump’s foreign policy positions continue to generate controversy among U.S. allies.