Donald Trump was on board Air Force One when it was forced to turn around due to an "electrical issue"

The 79-year-old President of the United States was on the jet setting off for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland when the aircraft had to return to Joint Andrews Base in Prince George's County, Maryland at 11:07pm ET on Tuesday (20.01.26).

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "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."

According to reporters on board, lights in the press cabin went out briefly, with no explanation given.

Trump has since been seen boarding a new aircraft - Air Force C-32, a smaller modified Boeing 757 which is typically used for domestic trips to smaller airports - and is making his way to Davos.

Several members of staff were seen getting off the original jet with bags, and trying to rearrange luggage onto the new craft.

It's said those travelling will now be split across two smaller planes.

Trump is set to deliver a speech to political and economic leaders on Wednesday (21.01.26), with a packed schedule.

It's unclear if the incident will cause changes to the president's plans.

Just a few months ago, Trump and his First Lady Melania Trump were on board a helicopter - Marine One - which suffered a "hydraulic issue" near London on September 18.

Leavitt said at the time: "Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the [Marine One] pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport.

"The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter."

While air safety incidents involving the US president are rare, it's not without precedent.

In February 2025, an Air Force plane carrying Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, had to return to Washington, DC due to a mechanical issue.

Back in 2012, then-vice president Joe Biden was on Air Force Two when birds struck the plane in California, but he was able to land safely.

And the previous year, then-president Barack Obama was on board Air Force One when the pilot aborted a planned landing in Connecticut due to bad weather.