President Donald Trump has logged approximately 70 flight hours on Air Force One during October 2026, conducting a series of rallies to support Republican candidates ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The passenger manifests for these flights include a range of Cabinet members, political strategists, personal aides, and athletes.
The intensive travel schedule follows reports of a July security incident in Ankara, Turkey. During a NATO summit, Trump was reportedly moved to a different aircraft following an alleged Iranian missile threat. The original Air Force One proceeded to take off with members of the media and staff, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, while the president traveled on a separate plane with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump later stated he followed the instructions of the Secret Service and military for safety purposes.
Among the regular passengers this month is White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who co-managed Trump’s 2024 campaign and recently completed treatment for breast cancer. Other frequent travelers include Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who highlights factory investments at rallies, and Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Pulte, who previously served as acting director of national intelligence, has proposed policy changes such as 50-year mortgages, though the idea was later abandoned.
The entourage also features several figures from the sports and entertainment industries. Retired boxers Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Evander Holyfield have joined the president on different legs of the tour, though Tyson and Holyfield did not fly at the same time. Other guests have included retired NASCAR champion Richard Petty, former NFL coach Jon Gruden, retired running back Todd Gurley, and rapper Nicki Minaj. Trump has also hosted several members of Congress on the flights, including Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
The scale of this travel is significant, with Trump completing 15 rallies in 20 days. For the White House press corps, the aircraft swap in Turkey raised questions regarding the safety of the traveling press pool. Journalists on that flight were not informed of the alleged missile threat or the president's departure until after the fact, leading to concerns among some that the press and remaining staff were used as decoys.
The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. The president’s current stump speech includes a promise to issue $5,000 checks to citizens if Republicans retain their majorities in the House and Senate. The White House intends to continue including a celebrity guest at each remaining campaign stop. Following her recent announcement that she is leaving the White House, former spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt is expected to serve as an advisor to the president from the outside. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has purchased gloves that deliver electric shocks for use by agents.