Donald Trump Latest News: Donald Trump’s journey to a major Republican gathering in Dallas turned into an unexpected aviation drama for a few minutes. The US president arrived at Joint Base Andrews expecting to board the Qatar-gifted aircraft, but an emergency evacuation slide had already become the centre of attention on the tarmac.
Trump remained aboard Marine One while military personnel dealt with the inflated slide on the Boeing 747. The incident briefly delayed his departure for the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas. The slide was later removed, allowing Trump to board the aircraft and continue his trip.
The episode was particularly notable because the aircraft has already attracted attention over questions surrounding its security, modifications and use as an interim presidential plane. However, showed no sign of concern and insisted the aircraft was safe to fly.
Donald Trump Latest News: Emergency Slide Accidentally Deploys
The unusual scene unfolded at Joint Base Andrews as Trump prepared to leave for Dallas. An inflatable emergency slide extended from the right side of the presidential aircraft while personnel worked around the plane.
Trump told reporters on the tarmac, “They’re checking the slide over here, and I think it’s going to take 15 minutes,” as crews inspected the equipment.
The situation initially appeared to be a routine safety check. However, a person briefed on the incident later told AFP that “military personnel accidentally triggered the slide.” CBS News also reported that a member of the aircraft’s Air Force crew accidentally activated the inflatable slide.
The incident kept Trump aboard Marine One for roughly 20 minutes while personnel handled the problem. The slide was eventually removed, and the aircraft departed for Texas.
Donald Trump Latest News: Trump Says He Would Not Fly an Unsafe Plane
The delay naturally raised questions about whether the incident had affected the aircraft’s ability to fly.
Trump dismissed those concerns when reporters asked whether he was confident about the safety of the jet.
The president responded: “Yeah, I am, or I wouldn’t be on it.”
Trump also indicated that personnel were checking the slide before he boarded. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung similarly sought to downplay the episode, saying the inspection was intended to make sure “everything works perfectly.”
The aircraft ultimately left Joint Base Andrews without any reported further incident.
Donald Trump Latest News: Why the Qatar-Gifted Jet Has Faced Scrutiny
The latest incident has renewed attention on the unusual history of Trump’s current presidential aircraft.
Qatar provided the Boeing 747-8 to the US government as a temporary presidential aircraft after Trump complained about the ageing Air Force One fleet. The plane was subsequently refurbished and converted for presidential use, becoming an interim aircraft while the next-generation Air Force One planes remain delayed.
The aircraft has also generated political and security debate since Qatar’s offer became public. Critics questioned whether a foreign-provided aircraft could meet the extremely demanding security and communications requirements associated with presidential travel.
The US Air Force has said essential security features were included in the refurbished aircraft, although the jet does not have every capability planned for the next-generation presidential fleet.
Donald Trump Latest News: Air Force One Already Faced a Major Security Moment
Wednesday’s slide incident was not the first time Trump’s use of the aircraft has attracted attention.
During Trump’s July trip around the NATO summit in Turkey, his travel arrangements included a discreet aircraft switch after a potential security threat involving a surface-to-air missile. Trump initially appeared to follow the expected boarding routine before secretly leaving through another door and travelling to another aircraft.
That earlier episode brought the aircraft’s security limitations into sharper focus, particularly because the Qatar-provided plane had only recently entered presidential service.
Donald Trump Latest News: Trump Continues Using the Aircraft Despite Questions
Trump first began using the refurbished Qatar-provided Boeing 747 as his presidential aircraft in July 2026. The plane was designed to serve as a temporary solution while the replacement Air Force One aircraft being built by Boeing faces further delays.
The aircraft is scheduled to undergo additional security upgrades later this year. Reuters reported that Trump said it would be taken out of service for about 60 days for unspecified security work.
For now, however, Trump appears determined to continue using the jet. Despite the unexpected deployment of its emergency slide before his Dallas trip, the president boarded the aircraft and flew to Texas for the Republican gathering.
The brief delay therefore ended without disrupting Trump’s schedule — but it once again put his unusual Qatar-gifted Air Force One under the spotlight.
