Former President Donald Trump’s campaign schedule was disrupted over the weekend when his private Boeing 757, named Trump Force One, was forced to make an emergency landing in Montana due to mechanical issues.
The unexpected detour occurred as Trump was en route to a rally in Bozeman, approximately 120 miles away.
The plane was forced down in Billings at 2:29 p.m. MDT, according to local officials. While the exact nature of the mechanical emergency was not disclosed, the incident prompted a full security sweep of the airport by Secret Service agents before Trump could disembark.
Despite the setback, the former president’s team quickly arranged alternative transportation. Trump boarded a smaller private jet to complete his journey to West Yellowstone Airport, allowing him to attend the scheduled rally at Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.
The rally was organized in support of Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and the Republican candidate for Montana’s U.S. Senate seat. Sheehy is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester in what has become one of the most expensive races of the election cycle.
During the rally, Trump emphasized the importance of Republican control in the Senate, repeatedly telling the crowd, “We need the Senate.”
He also took aim at his Democratic opponents, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
In a characteristically provocative statement, Trump painted a stark picture of a potential Harris-Walz victory.
“The people cheering will be the pink-haired Marxists, the looters, the perverts, the flag burners, Hamas supporters, drug dealers, gun-grabbers and human traffickers,” the 45th president told the cheering crowd.
Prior to the event, Trump had released a video statement expressing enthusiasm for the rally and affiliated fundraising events. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he promised attendees.
The incident comes amid reports of internal disagreements within Trump’s campaign regarding scheduling decisions. The National Pulse reported that the former president has privately expressed skepticism about some of his campaign scheduling, with the Montana trip being a particular point of contention.
Despite the day’s challenges, Trump’s campaign continues at a brisk pace. He was back in the air safely and attended fundraisers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Aspen, Colorado on Saturday before returning to his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
It’s the second emergency with Trump’s private jet in recent months.
According to reports, Trump Force One had a minor crash with another jet while taxiing in West Palm Beach in May. (READ MORE: Donald Trump’s plane crashes at West Palm Beach airport while taxiing)
The emergency landing and Trump’s swift recovery demonstrate the hectic, high-paced nature of campaign travel and the need for quick adaptability in the tight 2024 presidential election.