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Air Force One turns around shortly after takeoff for Trump's trip to Switzerland
By Michael Sinkewicz
Published January 20, 2026
Air Force One was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews shortly after takeoff Tuesday evening with President Donald Trump aboard, the White House said.
The crew experienced a "minor electrical issue" after takeoff at 10:20 p.m. and returned "out of an abundance of caution," according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff, reporters on board said.
TRUMP SAYS 'YOU’LL FIND OUT' WHEN ASKED HOW FAR HE’LL GO ON GREENLAND TAKEOVER
President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One, on his return from Detroit, Michigan, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on January 13, 2026. (Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS)
Trump was en route to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum.
The plane returned to Maryland around 45 minutes into the roughly 7.5 hour flight.
Leavitt joked aboard Air Force One that a Qatari jet sounded "much better" at the moment.
Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews at 11:07 pm. The president boarded a different aircraft and continued on to Switzerland shortly after 12 a.m.
President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One on Jan. 20 before leaving for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Trump is traveling with White House staff and cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/air-force-one-turns-around-shortly-after-takeoff-trumps-trip-switzerland