US President Donald Trump experienced a brief setback on his journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, when Air Force One encountered a minor electrical issue shortly after takeoff from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The plane, carrying the president and his entourage, returned safely to the base out of an abundance of caution, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Journalists aboard reported that cabin lights flickered off momentarily, highlighting the precautionary nature of the decision despite the issue being described as minor.
After landing around 11 pm local time following about an hour and 20 minutes in the air, Trump and his team swiftly switched to another aircraft. The new plane departed roughly two-and-a-half hours after the initial takeoff, allowing the president to resume his transatlantic travel without further delays. Trump is now expected to arrive in Davos on Wednesday for key engagements before departing on Thursday.
The trip marks Trump’s return to the prestigious annual gathering of global leaders, business tycoons, and policymakers. Amid his agenda, the president has emphasized discussions on his longstanding interest in Greenland, framing it as essential for national and international security rather than resource acquisition. He posted on Truth Social, affirming that “America will be well represented in Davos — by me,” and confirmed meetings with “various parties” to advance the matter.
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Trump has repeatedly stressed the strategic importance of Greenland, citing the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in the region and the need for enhanced US security posture. While Greenland’s leaders and Danish officials have firmly rejected any sale, insisting on the island’s autonomy within the Danish kingdom, Trump remains optimistic about potential outcomes from Davos talks. The incident underscores the rigorous safety protocols surrounding presidential travel, even for seemingly small technical matters.
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