President Donald Trump’s helicopter at Miami International Airport on Thursday afternoon had a “serious failure” emergency, and Trump’s flight was aborted on Marine One before takeoff.
The president had arrived at the airport aboard Air Force One at 4:45 p.m., pausing briefly to acknowledge reporters with a raised fist before boarding the presidential helicopter for a planned short flight to his Doral golf club. During takeoff, Marine One was discovered to have a flat tire and the takeoff was cancelled. Trump was forced to change helicopters after a delay.
“The wheel issue appeared to be the back tire of the helicopter, which appeared flat,” according to observers on the scene.
The three presidential helicopters had arrived at the airport approximately 30 minutes before Air Force One landed. After the issue was discovered, Trump, wearing his signature red MAGA hat and a suit, was escorted across the tarmac to a second helicopter.
Social media images captured the president walking between the aircraft amid airport operations.
President Trump just switched helicopters at Miami International Airport after it appears there was a flat tire on Marine One. pic.twitter.com/y3hAMvBJdZ
— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) April 3, 2025
The second helicopter departed at 5:19 p.m., and Trump arrived safely at Doral at 5:35 p.m. following the delay. The president was scheduled to speak at a dinner at his resort ahead of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Tournament being held there.
While speaking with reporters during the trip, Trump expressed hope that LIV and the PGA would eventually “combine forces,” though he did not address the helicopter incident directly.
Following the Doral event, Trump was expected to travel to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, with an anticipated arrival around 10 p.m. His weekend itinerary includes visits to his Jupiter golf club for the first time in his second term as president.
The Jupiter club is hosting both its senior championship tournament and the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association’s 17th annual Police Officer’s Ball this weekend.
According to flight restriction notices issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, the president is likely to depart Palm Beach for Washington on Sunday evening, concluding his eighth weekend in Palm Beach County since his January inauguration.