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Trump returns to D.C. on Air Force One shortly after takeoff for Davos due to electrical issue

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Air Force One returned to the Washington, D.C., area after the president’s plane, which was set to fly to Switzerland where he is scheduled to speak at the World Economic Forum, experienced a minor electrical issue, according to White House officials.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said late Tuesday that the decision to return was made after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and decided to turn around out of an abundance of caution.

A reporter on board said the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was offered.

U.S. President Donald Trump will board another aircraft upon his return and continue on with his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The two planes currently being used as Air Force One have been flying for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the program has faced a series of delays.

Last year, the ruling family of Qatar gave Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added into the Air Force One fleet, a move that faced great scrutiny. That plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.

Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that a Qatari jet was sounding “much better” right now.

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