Air Force One returns to Washington area due to minor electrical issue, White House says

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JOSH BOAK
Updated 10:20 PM CST, January 20, 2026
Leer en español

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn around.

A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered. About half an hour into the flight reporters were told the plane would be turning around.

Trump will board another aircraft and continue on with his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-air-force-one-electrical-issue-c3044b52b792a8c12f6211718d94f8fe

[usonian]

1. Another thread on this. We've been uploading great graphics there.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220954895

Some of us (ahem) even created some new ones for the occasion.

[AverageOldGuy]

2. Bullshit

AF1 is returning to Andrews for one of two reasons:

1. Trump is having stroke or (we can hope) cardiac arrest.
OR
2. Trump is too cowardly to face our former European allies.

[Polybius]

11. Definitely not number 2, since he is boarding another plane to go there

Can't be number 1 either, unless he recovered insanely fast.

[yellow dahlia]

3. Update, according to CNN - they are switching planes and will depart again soon.

[Deuxcents]

5. Lawrence O reported electrical issues.. fun to speculate 🧐

[yellow dahlia]

6. Indeed.

[Sneederbunk]

4. No ketchup allowed on second plane.

[LuckyLib]

7. Someone forgot to pack the diapers.

[Captain Zero]

9. None of this constant flying is good for

His decrepit circulatory system. Huge sleep interruptions. Jet lag.

Maybe Elons DOGE cuts screwed up jet maintenance?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Here's the plane. It's a 757-200. It left JBA at 12:03 a.m. EST. It's near Cape Cod now.

https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ae4ae6

[Buddyzbuddy]

10. Something about a blown gasket or a screw loose.

[Talitha]

12. Nicely done!