What you need to know
Air Force One returned with President Donald Trump on board on Tuesday, January 20, citing “minor electrical issues.”
“After takeoff, the AF1 crew observed a minor electrical issue,” White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 will return to Joint Base Andrews. The President and his team will board another aircraft and head to Switzerland.”
According to the Wall Street Journal, Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Maryland, at 11:07 p.m. ET.
President Trump, 79, will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The president is scheduled to address political and business leaders on Wednesday, January 21, the paper said.
The incident occurred just months after President Trump and first lady Melania Trump’s helicopter experienced a “hydraulic issue” while flying near London on September 18, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty
Leavitt, 28, said the Marine One helicopter carrying the president and first lady made an unexpected landing in the final moments of a trip to Britain to visit Prince William and Kate Middleton.
After a state visit with the British Royal Family, the Trumps made the short trip on Marine One from Checkers to Stansted Airport to rendezvous with Air Force One and return to Washington, D.C.
“Due to a minor hydraulic issue, out of an abundance of caution, (Marine One’s) pilots landed at a local airfield before arriving at Stansted Airport,” Levitt told White House reporters, explaining the reason for the delay.
Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.
“The President and First Lady safely boarded the support helicopter,” she added at the time.
People contacted the White House but did not receive an immediate response.
