Donald Trump will arrive in Davos late after a technical setback on Air Force One, an incident that forced the president of the United States to change planes just minutes after takeoff. The plane in which he was traveling to Switzerland had to return to Washington after the crew detected a “minor electrical problem.”
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained that the incident was identified shortly after takeoff and that the plane landed without problems at Joint Base Andrews, near the capital. From there, Trump will continue the trip on another aircraft to resume his international agenda, although with a delay in his arrival.
The episode was noted on board. Journalists traveling with the president reported that the cabin lights went out briefly after takeoff, with no official explanation offered at that time. There was no risk to the occupants, but there was enough to activate the protocol and turn around.
The delay occurs around the presidential trip. Trump’s arrival at the World Economic Forum implies an exceptional deployment, with duplicate planes, alternative routes and constant coordination between the American and Swiss security services. A scheme designed precisely to absorb unforeseen events without altering the substance of the trip.
Trump participates for the third time in the forum that brings together political and economic leaders in Davos every year. He is scheduled to intervene this Wednesday with a speech focused on internal economic issues, such as the cost of living or access to housing, after part of his electorate has reproached him for prioritizing the international agenda during his first year in office, with conflicts such as those in Gaza or Ukraine.
Air incidents affecting the president or vice president of the United States are rare, although not unprecedented. In 2011, Barack Obama aborted a landing in Connecticut due to poor weather conditions. A year later, in 2012, the plane carrying then-Vice President Joe Biden was hit by several birds in California before landing without consequences.
Before getting on the plane, Trump had already left a phrase with a certain air of foreboding. “This will be a very interesting trip, I don’t know what will happen,” he told the press. For now, what has happened is that Davos will have to wait a few more hours.
