Air Force One Turns Back En Route to Davos After Minor Electrical Issue

Air Force One was forced to turn around mid-flight Tuesday night as President Donald Trump was traveling to Davos, Switzerland, after crew members detected what the White House described as a “minor electrical issue.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the aircraft safely returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. From there, the president and his delegation were expected to board another plane and continue on to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.

The incident occurred during Trump’s first international trip of 2026.

Once in Davos, the president is scheduled to lead the largest U.S. delegation to the annual economic summit, where he plans to meet with global business executives and world leaders, deliver a keynote address, and take part in a formal signing ceremony related to his proposed “Board of Peace.”

Trump is expected to use the forum to promote his vision of American global dominance, including his controversial push for U.S. control of Greenland. His increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward acquiring the Danish territory has strained relations with NATO allies, with Trump refusing to rule out the use of force.

Since the start of his second term, Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. and global security. In recent weeks, his language has escalated, prompting backlash from European leaders and Greenland officials. When asked how far he was willing to go to secure control of the island, Trump replied, “You’ll find out,” while dismissing international opposition.

Pressed on concerns that NATO could fracture if the U.S. seized Greenland, Trump said he believed an agreement could be reached that would satisfy all parties. “We need it for national security and even world security,” he said.

Tensions have further increased after Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on eight NATO countries beginning February 1 if no agreement is reached. The threat followed the deployment of a small NATO troop presence to Greenland in response to Trump’s comments.

Despite the diplomatic strain, Trump expressed optimism ahead of his Davos meetings. “I think something’s going to happen that’s going to be very good for everybody,” he said.

The World Economic Forum is expected to emphasize dialogue and global cooperation, though Trump signaled he would use the platform to highlight what he described as the rapid success of his second-term agenda. He praised U.S. economic performance while criticizing European leaders on energy and immigration policy.

Meanwhile, Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, initially presented as a body to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction after the Israel-Hamas war, has drawn growing criticism. A draft charter now suggests the board would address conflicts beyond Gaza, prompting concerns from critics who say it could undermine the United Nations.

Domestically, Trump has also hinted that he will unveil sweeping housing reforms in Davos, including banning large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes and directing the federal government to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds.

As midterm elections approach, the White House has continued to frame the U.S. economy as strong under Trump’s leadership, despite voter concerns over rising costs. When questioned about the disconnect, Trump rejected criticism and blamed the previous administration, calling his own economic record “a miracle.”