LONDON — President Donald Trump‘s Marine One presidential helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing while traveling from Chequers to London’s Stansted airport.
“Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter.”
Trump arrived roughly 20 minutes behind the traveling press pool, but the White House did not provide an explanation for the delay before Air Force One took off for Washington, D.C.
During a gaggle with reporters shortly after takeoff, Trump had joked that he hoped they all made it home safely.
“Fly safely. You know why I say that? Because I’m on the flight,” he stated with a laugh. “Otherwise I wouldn’t care.”
