Emergency Slide Deploys on Air Force One Awaiting Trump at Joint Base Andrews
Quick Look
- An emergency inflatable slide deployed from Air Force One on Wednesday afternoon as President Donald Trump waited to board at Joint Base Andrews.
- The slide rolled out from the right side of the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8, opposite Trump's usual boarding side.
- Trump stated crews were conducting a 15-minute check and affirmed the aircraft's safety.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The new Air Force One, a $400 million Boeing 747-8, was gifted to President Trump by Qatar's royal family last year. After Pentagon-led modifications, Trump made his first flight aboard the aircraft in July. The plane has faced questions about its security amid controversy over the lavish gift.
An emergency inflatable slide deployed from Air Force One on Wednesday afternoon as President Donald Trump waited to board the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews.
At about 2:20 p.m., the slide rolled out onto the tarmac from the right side of the Qatari-gifted aircraft, opposite the side typically used by Trump to board, according to a White House pool report. Trump was seated nearby on Marine One at the time.
The president — who is scheduled to fly to Dallas for the Republican midterm convention — told reporters that “they were doing a check on the slide,” which he said “takes about 15 minutes.”
Asked by a reporter whether he’s sure that the aircraft is safe to fly, Trump replied: “Yeah, I am, or I wouldn’t be on it.”
The new Air Force One, a $400 million Boeing 747‑8, was gifted to President Trump by Qatar’s royal family last year. After Pentagon-led modifications, Trump made his first flight aboard the aircraft in July. In addition to the controversy over the lavish gift — reportedly one Trump plans to keep after leaving office — the plane has faced questions about its security.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Pentagon will conduct a full safety review of the Qatari-gifted Air Force One following the slide deployment.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What caused the emergency slide to deploy unexpectedly?
- Are there any safety concerns specific to the modified Qatari-gifted aircraft?
- Will this incident trigger further investigations into the aircraft's readiness?
