Electrical fault prompts President to switch aircraft immediately

A scheduled diplomatic trip took an unexpected turn on Tuesday (local time) when US President Donald Trump was forced to return to base shortly after departing for Europe. The President’s iconic aircraft, Air Force One, experienced a technical malfunction just minutes into its flight to Switzerland.

President Trump was en route to the snowy peaks of Davos to attend the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026. He is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the global summit, which gathers world leaders and business tycoons. However, the journey hit a roadblock almost immediately after takeoff.

According to official reports, the flight crew detected a "minor electrical issue" on board. While officials described the problem as not immediately life-threatening, the decision was made to return to Andrews Joint Base out of an abundance of caution.

The White House Rapid Response Team quickly addressed the situation on social media platform X. They confirmed that the aircraft returned safely and that protocols were followed strictly to ensure the safety of the President and his staff.

"After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews," the statement read.

Despite the disruption, the President's schedule remains largely on track. The White House confirmed that Trump and his team would simply board a different aircraft at the base to continue their journey to Switzerland. The logistical switch was handled swiftly to minimize delays in his arrival at the Davos summit.

Technical glitches on presidential aircraft are rare but handled with extreme care. The President is expected to arrive in Switzerland later today to engage with global leaders on economic policies and international relations.

With Agency Inputs