President Donald Trump’s departure for the Republican Party’s midterm convention in Dallas was delayed Wednesday after an emergency evacuation slide was deployed on the aircraft preparing to carry him from Joint Base Andrews.
Trump remained aboard Marine One for approximately 20 minutes while personnel examined the slide, which extended from a door on the right side of the Boeing 747-8 to the tarmac. The president had not yet boarded the plane, and there were no reports of injuries, smoke, fire, or another emergency aboard the aircraft.
Reporters traveling with the president could see crews inspecting the equipment as an older blue-and-white Air Force One aircraft moved into position nearby. That aircraft also lowered its boarding stairs, suggesting it may have been available as a backup if the newer plane could not depart.
Trump ultimately left Marine One and boarded the newer aircraft. He told reporters that personnel were conducting a safety check rather than responding to a dangerous malfunction.
“They were doing a check on the slide, you know, the emergency. So I think it takes about 15 minutes,” Trump said, according to Reuters.
“They want to make sure everything works perfectly,” he added.
The president’s trip proceeded as planned, and the relatively brief delay did not disrupt his scheduled appearance in Dallas.
No emergency was reported
The deployment of an aircraft evacuation slide can indicate a serious problem. In this case, officials did not report that the aircraft was being evacuated or that the slide had been activated in response to an immediate threat.
It was not initially clear whether the slide had deployed unexpectedly, had been deliberately activated for testing, or required additional work after an earlier problem.
New presidential aircraft draws added scrutiny
The slide was attached to the Boeing 747-8 transferred to the Defense Department by Qatar and subsequently converted for presidential transportation. The plane entered service in 2026 as an interim aircraft while Boeing continues work on two purpose-built replacements for the aging VC-25A aircraft traditionally used as Air Force One.
“Air Force One” is the call sign used by any Air Force aircraft carrying the president, rather than the permanent name of one specific airplane.
The Pentagon formally accepted the Qatari aircraft in May 2025. The unusual transfer generated objections from Democrats, ethics experts, and some Republicans over the value of the gift, its national security implications, and whether Congress should have been required to approve it.
The administration maintained that the plane was given to the United States government, not Trump personally, and that it would be modified to meet security and mission requirements. Qatar denied that the transfer was intended to purchase influence with the administration.
Full details about the aircraft’s defensive systems and classified modifications have not been made public. The cost of converting the jet has also been disputed.
Trump headed to an unprecedented midterm gathering
Trump was traveling to Dallas for the Republican National Committee’s two-day midterm convention at the American Airlines Center.
Unlike the national conventions held during presidential election years, the Dallas gathering has no nominee to select and no formal party platform to adopt. Organizers instead structured it as a combination of a political rally, candidate showcase, and fundraiser intended to increase Republican enthusiasm ahead of the November elections.
In addition to Trump, Vice President JD Vance, congressional leaders, Cabinet officials, and candidates in competitive races have appeared at the convention.
Republicans are trying to protect narrow congressional majorities in an election in which all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot. The party’s ability to turn out voters who supported Trump in presidential elections but participate less consistently in midterms will be central to that effort.
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