Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump’s travel plans were unexpectedly delayed when an emergency evacuation slide deployed from the door of his new Air Force One, causing him to remain aboard Marine One for additional safety checks before he could depart for the Republican Midterm Convention. The incident occurred as the president was preparing to leave, resulting in a pause while the slide was inspected.
President Trump addressed reporters after finally exiting Marine One, saying, "So they're checking the slide over here, and I think it's going to take 15 minutes. They were doing a check on the slide, you know, the emergency. They want to make sure everything works perfectly."
The president's travel schedule was adjusted to accommodate the inspection, though no injuries or further issues were reported.
The new Air Force One has drawn controversy since its introduction, but officials emphasized that the emergency slide deployment was simply a precaution. The president’s team stressed that all safety protocols were followed. The delay did not impact the timing of the Republican Midterm Convention, but it did highlight the importance the administration places on travel security.
Looking ahead, President Trump is expected to continue his planned appearances as scheduled, with no further delays anticipated related to the aircraft. The cause of the emergency slide deployment is under review by technical staff, and any necessary adjustments to procedures will be made to prevent similar issues in the future.