Former President Donald Trump’s Boeing jet struck a parked plane at a Florida airport after landing safely and taxiing early Sunday morning. The incident occurred at West Palm Beach International Airport, where Trump had landed after holding a campaign rally in New Jersey. It is unclear if Trump was on the aircraft at the time of the collision, which resulted in no reported injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which involved Trump’s Boeing 757 striking the rear elevator of a parked VistaJet.
The FAA notice stated that the privately owned Boeing 757 landed safely at West Palm Beach International Airport and struck the parked corporate jet while taxiing. The incident, which occurred at 1:19 a.m. ET on Sunday, was not in an area where the FAA directs aircraft. A winglet on Trump’s aircraft made contact with the parked plane, causing the collision. A winglet is a short fin that projects upward from the wing of an aircraft and is used to reduce aerodynamic drag. The FAA is looking into the incident, and CNBC has reached out for comment from Trump’s presidential campaign.
Donald Trump maintains a residence at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. The former president is also facing criminal charges in a New York state court related to hush money payments. Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records in connection to payments made by his former personal attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in late 2016 to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump a decade earlier, at Trump’s direction. Cohen has testified that he made the payment to protect Trump’s image during the 2016 presidential campaign.
On Tuesday, Trump’s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, began cross-examining Michael Cohen, who is a key witness in the hush money case. Cohen’s testimony has been crucial in linking Trump to the payments made to Daniels and potentially affecting his presidential campaign. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee, continues to deny any wrongdoing in the case. The collision between Trump’s Boeing jet and the parked plane at West Palm Beach International Airport has brought attention to the incident, although it did not result in any injuries.
The incident involving Trump’s Boeing 757 at the Florida airport highlights the complex legal challenges facing the former president. The collision occurred after a campaign rally in New Jersey, showcasing the busy schedule of Trump as he prepares for potential legal battles. Trump’s defense team is working to discredit witnesses like Michael Cohen, who played a key role in the hush money case. Despite these legal issues, Trump remains active in politics and maintains a residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The collision between Trump’s aircraft and the parked plane has raised questions about safety measures at airports and the responsibility of pilots and aircraft owners to ensure the security of their flights. The investigation by the FAA will provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident and any potential violations of aviation laws. As Trump faces legal challenges in New York and continues to be active in political activities, the collision serves as a reminder of the complexities of his post-presidential life and the legal issues he faces. The incident has not interrupted Trump’s activities or his legal defense in the ongoing trial related to hush money payments.
