President Donald Trump departed for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday after his initial flight aboard Air Force One was forced to execute an emergency mid-air turnaround Tuesday night when an electrical malfunction caused sections of the aircraft to lose power.
The modified Boeing 747-200B had been airborne for less than one hour during its transatlantic journey when flight crew determined it necessary to abort the mission and return to United States airspace.
The aircraft had departed from the East Coast en route to the annual gathering of global leaders and business executives.
Shortly after takeoff, the press cabin experienced a complete loss of lighting, prompting immediate concern among those aboard.
The crew made the decision to reverse course and land back at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Following the emergency return, Trump transferred to a different aircraft and resumed his journey to Switzerland.
He boarded an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 aircraft that typically transports the president on domestic flights to airports unable to accommodate larger planes.
The departure time for the second attempt was shortly after midnight.
Any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the sitting president receives the Air Force One designation during that flight.
White House officials characterized the electrical problem as minor and stated the decision to return was made out of an abundance of caution.
Records indicate one of the presidential aircraft underwent scheduled maintenance on Jan. 9, though officials did not confirm whether that particular plane was the one involved in Tuesday’s incident.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reportedly made a lighthearted comment during the flight referencing the luxury jet Trump had received as a gift from Qatar, suggesting it might be preferable under the circumstances.
The delegation accompanying Trump included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, advisor Stephen Miller, press secretary Leavitt, Communications Director Stephen Chung and Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.
The flight plan called for landing in Zurich, followed by helicopter transport to Davos.
Before departing the White House, Trump addressed reporters about the upcoming trip.
“This will be an interesting trip,” Trump stated. “I have no idea what´s going to happen, but you are well represented.”
The president’s first scheduled appearance in Davos was set for 2pm local time, which corresponds to 5am Eastern Time.
The visit occurs amid mounting tensions between the United States and major European powers over Trump’s pursuit of acquiring Greenland.
On Monday evening, Trump threatened France with a 200 percent tariff on champagne and wine imports.
He subsequently released a text message from French President Emmanuel Macron that read “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.”
Trump has indicated his willingness to impose tariffs on France and other European Union nations that have expressed opposition to his Greenland initiative.
Macron has advocated for the European Union to consider retaliatory tariffs on $107.7 billion worth of American goods and has even suggested blocking United States market access.
Speaking in Davos on Tuesday, Macron responded to Trump’s actions with a warning that the world is entering an era without established rules.
“We’re shifting to a world without rules,” Macron declared, “where international law is trampled underfoot, and the only law that matters is that of the strongest.”
Despite the public tensions, the text message from Macron to Trump included an invitation to at least one G7 meeting and dinner in Paris following the World Economic Forum, with Macron writing they can “try to build great things.”
Prior to the initial departure, Trump posted on Truth Social: “America will be well represented in Davos — by me. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!”
The electrical failure has renewed questions about the age and condition of the current presidential aircraft fleet.
The two planes currently serving in the Air Force One role have been operational for nearly forty years.
Boeing has contracts to provide replacement aircraft, but the program has experienced numerous setbacks and delays.
The existing planes feature extensive modifications including survivability systems designed to protect the president under various emergency scenarios.
These include radiation shielding, antimissile technology, and comprehensive communications systems enabling the president to maintain contact with military command and issue directives from any global location.
Trump has previously voiced dissatisfaction with the current Air Force One fleet. In May of 2025, he defended accepting the luxury aircraft gift from Qatar, noting the existing plane is almost forty years old while newer Boeing 747s purchased by Middle Eastern nations are brand new.
“You see ours next to it. This is like a totally different plane. It’s much smaller and less impressive, as impressive as it is,” Trump remarked.
“We are the United States of America I believe we should have the most impressive plane.”
Trump expressed frustration that Boeing has not delivered the replacement Air Force One aircraft despite his administration signing the contract.
“It’s pretty much the same plane with a new paint color if you want to know the truth,” he stated.
“We are painting it red, white, and blue like the American flag which is incredible. Much more beautiful and much more representative of us.”
The 747-8 offered by Qatar features superior fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels, with an interior designed by French design firm Alberto Pinto Cabinet.
“I’m not happy with Boeing,” Trump acknowledged. “I don’t want to hurt Boeing but they are very late with the plane.”
Trump explained that Qatari leaders offered assistance after he shared his concerns about Air Force One. “Some people say you shouldn’t accept gifts,” Trump noted.
“My attitude is why wouldn’t I accept a gift, we are giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift?”
“There are those that say we shouldn’t be accepting gifts in the Defense Department and I would say only a stupid person would say that,” Trump concluded.
He justified accepting the gift by noting the trillions of dollars the United States has spent securing nations overseas, including Qatar.
“We give a lot of gifts, too many gifts to be honest with you,” Trump said.
“We give gifts to defend countries that wouldn’t even exist, all over the world countries wouldn’t even exist.”
Accepting the Qatari aircraft would require extensive retrofitting to meet presidential security requirements.
Air Force One possesses unique secure communications systems, midair refueling capabilities, missile defense systems, and electronic jamming capabilities specifically designed for presidential protection.
