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Air Force One news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Air Force One's emergency slide deployed on Sept 9, delaying Trump's Dallas trip. Trump said it was a safety check, not a security concern.
Background
The new Air Force One, a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, has been in and out of service since Trump unveiled it earlier this summer. It has faced scrutiny after Trump secretly used the old plane in July following a missile threat. The White House had said the president would use the older jet while the new one underwent security enhancements.
How it unfolded
- Jul 1, 2026Trump started flying on the Qatari-gifted Air Force One after accepting it as a gift.
- Jul 2026Trump secretly used the old plane to leave Turkey after a credible missile threat, then took the new jet home from the U.K.
- Sep 4, 2026Trump planned to travel aboard the new Air Force One to Ireland.
- Sep 9, 2026Emergency slide deployed on the new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, delaying Trump's departure to Dallas. Trump said it was a safety check, and the plane took off without incident.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- President Trump said the slide deployment was a routine safety check, stating 'they want to make sure everything works perfectly.'
- Public
- The White House print pool reported spotting the slide deployed, raising questions about the new aircraft's reliability.
Still unverified
The exact cause of the slide deployment has not been independently confirmed; Trump's explanation of a safety check is his account.