Air Force One Makes Sudden U-Turn, Returns to DC After Electrical Issue, President Trump to Switch Planes for Trip to Davos (UPDATE: Safe Landing at JB Andrews)
Air Force One made a sudden U-turn as it passed Long Island less than an hour after President Donald Trump departed for Davos, Switzerland, according to flight trackers. (Update at end of article.)
After minutes of concern among Trump supporters online, the White House told reporters a minor electrical issue prompted the turnback and that Trump would board another plane at Joint Base Andrews for the trip to Davos.
Nick Sorter was one of the first to report on the sudden U-turn, adding that a motorcade was seen speeding through D.C. toward Andrews.
BREAKING UPDATE: U.S. government motorcade seen on interstate racing lights and sirens to Joint Base Andrews near DC after Air Force One turns around over the Atlantic Ocean
Reason unclear pic.twitter.com/PAo7iiIGa3
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 21, 2026
After takeoff, the crew on AF1 identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, we are turning around, landing at Joint Base Andrews and boarding new aircraft, per press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
(Note from your pooler: the lights in the press cabin went out briefly after takeoff but no explanation was offered.)
Leavitt made a joke about the Qatari jet sounding “much better” right now.
This will obviously delay our arrival in Zurich. We will keep you updated as best we can. We’re expected to land at JBA at 11 PM.
More from News Nation White House reporter Kellie Meyer: “BREAKING: AF1 returning to JBA after a minor electrical issue, a senior WH official tells me tonight. POTUS WILL BOARD A different aircraft and continue to Switzerland. “After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The President and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland.””
BREAKING: AF1 returning to JBA after a minor electrical issue, a senior WH official tells me tonight.
POTUS WILL BOARD A different aircraft and continue to Switzerland.
“After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is…
— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) January 21, 2026
UPDATE: CBS News reporter Ed O’Keefe reported Air Force One landed safely at Joint Base Andrews just past 11 p.m. EDT. Henry posted a list of administration officials traveling with President Trump: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, James Blair, Beau Harrison, Stephen Miller, Robert Gabriel, Steven Cheung, Kevin Hassett, Karoline Leavitt, Will Scharf, Ross Worthington, Amb. Monica Crowley”
Per the White House pool reports, here are the administration officials traveling with the president on AF1:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio⁰Chief of Staff Susie Wiles⁰James Blair⁰Beau Harrison⁰Stephen Miller⁰Robert Gabriel⁰Steven Cheung⁰Kevin Hassett⁰Karoline Leavitt…
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) January 21, 2026
UPDATE: President Trump wheels up again for Davos just after midnight, “NEW: White House press pool reports the president boarded the new jet, but reporters didn’t witness him getting off the old plane and aboard the new one. Per the latest pool report: “While holding on original Air Force One, your pool saw a lot of commotion, including several staffers deplaning with their bags, including [Karoline] Leavitt and [Kevin] Hassett. The crew on the plane was hustling to make the transition, quickly moving boxes of fruit, wrapped sandwiches and beverages in and out. At least one ran past the press cabin. Others, outside on the ground, were seen pulling about a dozen suitcases off the plane and placing them onto a truck. Fox News was playing on the TVs with a chyron about the plane’s electrical issue.”…”WHEELS UP (again): The replacement Air Force One, a smaller Boeing 757, was rolling for takeoff at 12:02am ET, per the White House pool report.”
WHEELS UP (again): The replacement Air Force One, a smaller Boeing 757, was rolling for takeoff at 12:02am ET, per the White House pool report.
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) January 21, 2026
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