President Donald Trump encountered an unexpected situation on Air Force One on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, when a bathroom door opened and bumped him shortly after he spoke about maintaining the presidential aircraft.
During a flight, the 79-year-old president was addressing reporters when he paused to speak to someone off-camera about handling equipment on the plane. Trump remarked to the individual leaving the bathroom, “You’re gonna have to take it easy with that thing. You know, it’s a government plane, but I like to take care of it.”
Seconds after making his comment about caring for the aircraft, the door swung open and hit Trump. Initially appearing puzzled by the interruption, he swiftly recovered and smiled, recognizing what had transpired.
“Oh, hello. Somebody’s in there,” Trump remarked, prompting laughter among those on the plane. He tapped on the bathroom door and said, “Come on out.”
Trump moved away from the door to continue his interaction with reporters, while the person inside quickly closed it and remained inside for the duration of the press briefing. The Daily Beast journalist Julia Ornedo reported on the lighthearted moment, which contrasted with the serious nature of the president’s trip.
The president’s journey was to Monroe County, Pennsylvania, marking the first stop of an affordability roadshow. The speech was an effort by Trump to address growing concerns about the cost-of-living crisis affecting Americans nationwide.
Trump’s focus on affordability followed Democratic victories in high-profile elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City in November 2025, where successful candidates emphasized affordability in their campaigns. These results underscored the prominence of economic concerns for voters.
A Politico poll highlighted challenges for the administration, showing that many Americans hold Trump accountable for ongoing economic difficulties. The survey revealed that 46 percent of Americans believe the cost of living in the U.S. is at its worst level ever experienced. Of that group, 37 percent had voted for Trump in the previous election.
Despite the polling data, Trump labeled the issue as an “affordability hoax” and attributed blame to Democrats. During his Pennsylvania speech, he compared Democrats discussing affordability to criminals discussing public safety, calling them “the enemy of the working class.”
Trump asserted that prices are significantly decreasing from what he described as their highest levels in history. He suggested that Democratic discussions on affordability lead people to mistakenly believe it reflects poorly on his administration’s handling of prices.
The Pennsylvania event aimed to highlight what the administration sees as economic successes, at a time when Trump’s approval ratings are under pressure from the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The speech reportedly deviated from its intended focus, becoming a broad discussion that touched on various topics, including former President Joe Biden and transgender issues.
The affordability roadshow is expected to continue, with Trump possibly holding more events later this month and into the new year. The tour represents the administration’s strategy to directly address economic concerns and counter the narrative that has benefited Democratic candidates in recent elections.
As Trump advances his affordability campaign, the administration faces the task of convincing voters that economic conditions are improving, despite widespread perceptions among Americans that the cost of living remains at historic highs. The gap between the administration’s narrative and public sentiment on economic issues presents a significant communication challenge moving forward.
