Pilot scolds plane load of Congress members as Trump show leaves them grounded

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Raw Story

June 12, 2026 10:12AM ET


A bipartisan group of Congress members sat grounded on a runway for more than an hour Thursday — all because of an airshow rehearsal for Trump's White House UFC fight.

Politico Playbook's Adam Wren reported the delegation was stuck aboard a Delta flight from Washington to Detroit. Among the stranded passengers: Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI), alongside Republican Reps. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Bob Latta (R-OH).

The pilot told them there could be no traffic out of Reagan National Airport because of an airshow rehearsal tied to Sunday's UFC Freedom 250 event — President Donald Trump's marquee White House fight card, scheduled for the South Lawn on June 14, the president's 80th birthday.

He added that, if they had complaints, they should call their representatives in Congress.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-airshow-strands-lawmakers/

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He added that, if they had complaints, they should call their representatives in Congress.

[wyn borkins]

1. Grounded on a Runway...

...for more than an hour — because of an airshow rehearsal for the White House UFC fight.

[dutch777]

7. And they were certainly only one of many flights affected. Sorry the D's had to suffer with the R's who deserved it

[UpInArms]

2. Bravo, pilot!

[czarjak]

3. You can't make this shit up!

THEY-DEW-IT-4-U!

[Figarosmom]

4. Ha😊

[llmart]

5. Call their representative?

Lisa McClain is my dimwitted representative. I wonder if she'll take the pilot's advice?

[MLAA]

6. Perfect message from the pilot. I hope those with a representative on board wasted no time giving them an earful.

[KS Toronado]

8. "their representatives in Congress."

Would that be the Gropenfuhrer? Good luck he'd so anything worthwhile.

[Lonestarblue]

9. Since when do presidents decide to give themselves $60 million birthday celebrations at our expense?

Some enterprising reporter (if any are left) should put together a list of all Trump's waste of taxpayer dollars, from slapping his name on everything to destroying the East Wing to the totally unnecessary Iran War. It would add up to a trillion with the war already costing billions.

[Safe as Milk]

13. No worries! Diddling Donny is the self-proclaimed "King of Debt." n/t

[travelingthrulife]

19. I hope someone with the skill is doing that very simple messaging so even MAGA

gets it.

[Icanthinkformyself]

10. As a show of solidarity

with the passengers the pilot should have thrown the two Republicans off of the plane.

[Bengus81]

11. LOL!! Perfect.........

[PJMcK]

12. Did the pilot know there were Congresspeople on board? (n/t)

[louis-t]

14. Reminds me of the crew that was dealing with unruly kids on a flight.

The pilot got on the intercom and said "Don't make me pull this plane over and come back there." I remember this being a true story from many years ago.

[popsdenver]

15. Nothing new

happens every time Trump boards Air Force One, for one of his golf junkets........

I think they stop all air traffic for 30 miles around his departure airport, 30 miles around the arrival airport, and a 30 mile wide swath in between.........

Probably makes Air Traffic Controllers seriously insane, and gives them major brain strain......and especially any commercial aircraft,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Martin68]

16. That pilot deserves the Medal of Freedom.

[Attilatheblond]

17. Air show? What's that costing us?

Guess he's still pissed about the squeaky tanks and shuffling, unenthusiastic troops kinda almost marching in that birthday parade he threw himself last time.

[snot]

18. Karma for congresscritters!

Overdue