Air Force One Slide Deploys Unexpectedly Before Trump's Dallas Trip

A surprising incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at Joint Base Andrews as an emergency inflatable slide deployed from Air Force One. President Donald Trump was nearby in Marine One, preparing to board the aircraft for his trip to the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. The slide unexpectedly rolled out from the right side of the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8, a side not typically used for boarding.

According to a person briefed on the situation, military personnel accidentally triggered the deployment. The President, however, downplayed the event, telling reporters, “they were doing a check on the slide,” which he estimated takes “about 15 minutes.” When asked about the safety of the aircraft, Trump confidently stated, “Yeah, I am, or I wouldn't be on it.” Following the incident, the slide was deflated and removed, and the $400 million jet subsequently took off as planned.

This particular aircraft, gifted to Trump by Qatar's royal family last year, has been in presidential service as a temporary replacement for the older Air Force One.

Its introduction has not been without controversy, including concerns over the lavish gift and questions surrounding its security.

Notably, this isn't the first time the new Air Force One has faced security-related attention.

In July, Trump reportedly switched aircraft while leaving a NATO summit in Turkey after U.S. officials received intelligence regarding a potential Iranian assassination threat.

On that occasion, the President publicly opted for the older Air Force One over the newer, Qatari-donated jet.

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