Donald Trump left Mike Waltz stranded at Joint Base Andrews two days before his White House ouster

A video captured by CNN on April 29 shows former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz being prevented from boarding Air Force One
Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz from his role as national security advisor on May 1 (Getty Images)
Donald Trump removed Mike Waltz from his role as national security advisor on May 1 (Getty Images)

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND: President Donald Trump left Mike Waltz stranded at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland just days before his ouster as national security advisor on Thursday, May 1. 

A clip, which was originally shot by CNN and has since gone viral across social media, shows Waltz being prevented from boarding Air Force One, per the Irish Star.



 

Mike Waltz was not allowed to board Air Force One two days before ouster

The incident took place on April 29, two days before his ouster, when Mike Waltz arrived with Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews with a briefcase.

However, the ex-White House official never boarded the flight and walked off after a quick discussion with what seems to be a Secret Service agent, per the outlet.

As per the CNN anchor, Waltz traveled via Marine One, the presidential helicopter, from the White House to the military base with the POTUS.

Co-Chair Committee on Platform Mike Waltz speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Mike Waltz speaks on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The anchor went on to call the entire situation "odd" as Waltz traveled all the way and then did not end up going on the trip with Trump.

Furthermore, the CNN host said that she was told that Waltz was "not supposed to go on the trip."

The White House had seemingly informed CNN that the then-national security advisor had never been scheduled to travel with Trump to Michigan.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 01: National Security Advisor Michael Waltz participates in a TV interview at the White House on May 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. This week marks the first 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Michael Waltz participates in a TV interview at the White House on May 1, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

On Thursday, Waltz was ousted from the Cabinet amid outcry over the "Signalgate" scandal after he had inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a highly sensitive group chat on the Signal app about military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen in March. His deputy, Alex Wong, was also ousted. 

Donald Trump nominates Mike Waltz to be ambassador to the UN

Even though Mike Waltz is leaving his position in the Cabinet, Donald Trump announced that he plans to nominate him to be ambassador to the United Nations, which will require Senate confirmation, as per CBS News.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as national security advisor in the interim.



 

Trump wrote, "I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations."

The commander-in-chief added, "From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation's Interests first."

"I know he will do the same in his new role. In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department," Trump further mentioned.

Following Trump's announcement, Waltz wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "I'm deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation."



 

Meanwhile, Rubio and Waltz had a meeting on Thursday where they discussed the transition in roles, sources informed CBS News.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Key battlegrounds expected to decide Senate control saw high early voter turnout, with Texas turnout rising 74% from 2022
2026-10-26T20:42:58.000Z
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who has frequently made headlines during the midterm campaign, has hit back at Trump over his remarks about the candidate’s name and Muslim identity
2026-10-26T16:52:29.000Z
Officials said that President Trump remained undecided on post-midterm military action but appeared inclined to order a major strike
2026-10-26T16:23:19.000Z
Bennett, a Trump appointee, and Judge Gabriel Sanchez, a Biden appointee, both questioned DOJ’s decision to appeal in the ninth Circuit before the US District Court in California, where the case was originally filed, had held a hearing
2026-10-26T14:59:42.000Z
Donald Trump criticized Barack Obama's Iran nuclear deal and his support for Democratic candidates during the 2026 midterm campaign trail
2026-10-26T06:10:52.000Z
Donald Trump defended private health insurance, citing satisfied friends and claiming that some of his Canadian friends travel to the US for medical treatment
2026-10-26T06:05:14.000Z
President Donald Trump renewed his claim that he deserved the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize after human rights lawyer Navi Pillay was named the winner
2026-10-26T05:38:59.000Z
Thom Tillis also accused Democrats of 'gaming the system' through the candidacy of Daniel J Sullivan
2026-10-26T05:12:13.000Z
Elon Musk's money has gone toward efforts to boost Republicans in key races, particularly Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton
2026-10-26T04:47:42.000Z
Amy Acton urged Donald Trump and JD Vance to examine the facts, recalling her testimony against her stepfather over childhood abuse
2026-10-26T04:16:27.000Z