President Donald Trump, 79, struggled visibly as he descended the stairs from Air Force One on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, after arriving in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum. The president appeared exhausted following a flight marred by mechanical problems and significant delays that added nearly three hours to his journey.
The president’s trip began with an electrical issue on Air Force One that forced the aircraft to return to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night. After switching planes, Trump departed again just after midnight, finally touching down at Zurich Airport on Wednesday morning. From there, he traveled by helicopter to Davos for his scheduled address to world leaders.
Video footage showed Trump descending the plane’s steps with caution, holding the handrail as he slowly made his way to the tarmac before boarding a nearby helicopter for the final part of his trip.
Additional video shared on social media by White House Communications Adviser Margo Martin showed the president walking up a red carpet at the World Economic Forum site, where he seemed to breathe heavily and have difficulty keeping a straight path. The clip quickly sparked speculation about his physical state after the exhausting overnight trip.
Trump’s visit to Davos followed an intense series of public appearances. On Monday night, he was at the college football championship game, an event that kept him out until after 2 a.m. The next day, he held a 104-minute press briefing at the White House before getting ready for his overseas trip.
During his address at the World Economic Forum, many noticed that the president’s voice was raspy and that he looked tired, with noticeable circles under his eyes. The strain of his recent schedule showed as Trump spoke to global leaders about trade issues and foreign affairs.
The president’s visible fatigue has intensified worries about the demanding pace of his schedule. According to reports, aides have encouraged Trump to stay alert during public events, while cabinet members have been told to shorten their briefings in meetings.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins, and CNN’s Alayna Treene were among those mentioned in coverage describing the difficulties surrounding the trip.
The visit to Switzerland also included a striking geographical slip in Trump’s remarks. He referred to Iceland when he appeared to mean Greenland, repeating the mistake three times during his speech. The error came as Trump continued to threaten the annexation of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory—a stance that has strained ties with European allies and sparked concerns about NATO unity.
After a demanding overseas trip, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles announced a major change to the president’s travel schedule. Trump will scale back his international appearances and shift his attention to domestic trips as the November midterm elections approach.
Wiles announced aboard Air Force One that the president will now visit a different city each week, unveiling a revised approach that has Trump traveling extensively across the United States instead of focusing on frequent overseas trips.
The domestic tour will include a stop in Iowa, where Trump is expected to deliver remarks centered on economic issues. This shift marks a realignment of priorities for an administration that had originally envisioned a more prominent international agenda in its second term.
The move to scale back foreign travel comes as the president faces growing questions about his physical endurance and mental sharpness. Critics have been scrutinizing his public appearances closely, noting what they describe as “prolonged blinks” and other signs of fatigue or disorientation.
During Tuesday’s extended White House briefing, Trump veered off topic to reminisce about his baseball days at Cunningham Park. He also launched into a lengthy aside about mental health facilities, specifically referencing Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital, in a tangent that stretched several minutes.
The World Economic Forum in Davos has traditionally been an important venue for U.S. presidents to meet with global business leaders and foreign officials. The annual gathering draws heads of state, top executives, and policymakers to discuss economic developments and major global issues.
Mechanical issues with Air Force One created an unexpected complication during what was already an arduous trip. Though returning to Washington to change aircraft was the safe choice, the delay disrupted the president’s rest and added several hours to his travel time.
The renewed emphasis on domestic travel reflects both concerns about the president’s stamina and strategic considerations ahead of the midterm elections. Midterms often pose difficulties for the party in power, and Trump’s team appears to be prioritizing direct voter outreach over international engagements during this pivotal period.
The contrast between Trump’s strained demeanor in Davos and the vigorous image he typically projects on the campaign trail was noticeable. Visible signs of weariness—the slow steps off the plane, labored breathing, and unsteady gait—gave critics more material as they question whether he can maintain the demands of the job.
As the administration shifts to a travel schedule centered more on domestic stops, questions remain about how well the president can juggle the responsibilities of the job alongside the natural challenges that come with age. Wiles’s announcement indicates that Trump’s advisers understand the need to pace his appearances more strategically, even as they present the change as a campaign-driven move rather than one shaped by physical constraints.