Fact check: Trump plane diverted from Bozeman due to mechanical problem

A spokesman for Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport said Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s plane was forced to land in Billings instead of Bozeman, Montana, on August 9 due to technical problems and not unpaid fees.

After the incident, social media postsopens new tab shared an alternative narrative: that the plane couldn’t land in Bozeman because Trump hadn’t paid his fees at the airport. “Trump couldn’t land his plane in Bozeman because he owes the airport over $12,000 in landing fees,” one post said.

Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign, told Reuters by email that the posts were false and that the plane had been diverted due to a mechanical problem.

Brian Sprenger, CEO of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, said by email that they are aware of the misinformation circulating online. “There are no outstanding bills owed to BZN by former President Trump or his campaign team. The plane was diverted for technical reasons,” he said.

The false narrative was originally posted as a jokeopens new tab on August 9th by the X-Account @RepRichDangler, who describes himselfopens new tab as “Self-appointed Representative of the 11th District of WA.” Legislator of the 11th District of Washington Stateopens new tab are Representative Steve Bergquist, Representative David Hackney and Senator Bob Hasegawa.

VERDICT

False. Trump’s plane was diverted from Bozeman on August 9 due to a mechanical failure, the airport said.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.

Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.opens new tab

VERDICT

Leave a Reply Cancel reply