Emergency Slide Accidentally Deployed by Military Personnel on Air Force One.
An inflatable emergency slide deployed from the front door of Trump's Qatari-gifted Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. The incident delayed the president's departure for the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas.
- Trump remained aboard Marine One after it landed, waiting out the delay.
- The slide unfurled from the right-hand front door, not the door Trump normally boards.
- The older blue-and-white Air Force One was moved into position nearby as a backup.
- Trump said crews were checking the slide and told reporters it was safe to fly.
Why it matters: The Qatari-gifted 747 has been a persistent source of controversy since Trump announced plans to use it as Air Force One. Wednesday's slide deployment adds a new operational incident to that record.
How 38 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage does not split on facts; all outlets report the same sequence of events.
Left coverage, 13 sources: The left emphasizes the Qatari origin of the plane and frames the slide deployment as the latest problem with a controversial aircraft.
Right coverage, 15 sources: The right leads with Trump's own calm explanation of the check and notes the backup plane was ready, framing the incident as a routine precaution.
What’s next: Trump said the slide check would take roughly 15 minutes before departure.
- The White House had not explained the incident as of initial reporting.
- What caused the slide to deploy, and whether it indicates a broader mechanical issue with the aircraft.
- Whether Trump ultimately flew to Dallas on the Qatari-gifted plane or the older Air Force One.
































