Once again, President Donald Trump’s trip overseas got off to a chaotic start.
Air Force One, en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, made an unexpected U-turn Tuesday night shortly after departure, returning to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The abrupt reversal occurred less than an hour into the flight.
Air Force One carrying President Donald J. Trump to the 56th Annual Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has just made a sharp turn off the east coast of the United States and appears to be returning to Joint Base Andrews. pic.twitter.com/Z1V449S9ef
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 21, 2026
The White House later said the plane experienced a “minor electrical issue.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the crew decided to return “out of an abundance of caution.” The aircraft landed back at the base at 11:07 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Not long after takeoff, reporters noticed a brief power loss in their cabin, though the cause was not immediately explained.
The sudden return didn’t sit well with many on social media. Users on X questioned the official explanation and shared their own theories.
Some suggested a mechanical problem or a last-minute decision. “That sudden turn is weird, either a mechanical issue or a last-minute change,” one user wrote. Another added, “I got a feeling there’s something else. No way Air Force One — the most technologically advanced plane in the world — has a minor electrical problem.”
Others floated more dramatic ideas. “He fears being apprehended by the Europeans. Putin has tipped him off that he could be arrested by the International Criminal Court,” one post claimed. Another questioned the logistics: “Why didn’t they just land at JFK, Newark, or Boston and get the second plane to meet them at the airport? Something seems off.”
Some focused on Trump himself. “He knows he’s going to be booed and mocked — that’s why ‘the plane’ has an issue,” one user tweeted.
Once back on the ground, Trump departed again roughly an hour later aboard an Air Force C-32, a smaller modified Boeing 757 more often used for domestic travel, pushing his arrival in Davos back by several hours.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was already in Switzerland, said Trump would be about three hours behind schedule.
“This will be an interesting trip,” Trump told reporters earlier on the White House lawn. “I have no idea what is going to happen. But you are well represented.”
The episode once again put a spotlight on the condition of Air Force One. The two Boeing 747 aircraft that serve as the presidential fleet have been in service since 1990. Plans to replace them have been delayed for years. The first replacement plane is now not expected until 2027, with the second pushed back to 2028.
Those delays have taken on new significance under Trump, who has frequently criticized the aircraft while playing a role in decisions about its replacement. He confirmed last summer that the Qatari royal family had donated a Boeing 747-8 worth roughly $400 million to be considered for use as Air Force One.
However, officials have said the jet would require extensive and expensive renovations before it could carry a president. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the cost of converting the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 into a presidential plane could reach several hundred million dollars.
The timing of the scare coincided with a wave of protests across Europe over Trump’s stance on Greenland and his move to impose tariffs on allied nations, adding pressure to an already strained international moment.
Featured image via X screengrab
