Trump spent 70 hours on Air Force One in October; Tyson, Mayweather among guests

US President Donald Trump spent about 70 hours on Air Force One in October. (AP Photo)

US President Donald Trump has spent about 70 hours aboard Air Force One so far in October, travelling across the United States to attend rallies and campaign for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.The president’s campaign trips have featured an eclectic mix of passengers, ranging from Cabinet members and senior White House aides to boxing legends and sports personalities.The list of people accompanying Trump offers a glimpse into his inner circle and those who have access to him during the final stretch of the election campaign.According to the Associated Press, political advisers, officials involved in shaping administration policies and communications staff have frequently joined Trump on the trips.

Several celebrities have also travelled with the president, making appearances at rallies as the White House seeks to boost Republican candidates.“Who he surrounds himself with are the people he is going to be listening to,” David Cohen, a professor of political science at the University of Akron, said, adding that the people travelling with the president can indicate his priorities.Here is a look at some of the key figures who have travelled with Trump aboard Air Force One this month.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been a frequent passenger on Trump’s campaign trips. Wiles, who co-managed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, recently completed treatment for breast cancer. Trump has described her as the “most powerful woman in the world”.After Trump’s 15th rally in 20 days, Wiles spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One as the plane took off from Greenville, North Carolina, giving the trip a positive assessment.“Great,” she said. “They’ve all been great, honestly.”Other senior administration officials who have travelled with Trump include special envoy Steve Witkoff, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.Witkoff has been involved in diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war, which has weighed on Republican prospects ahead of the midterms.

Miller, meanwhile, has played a central role in the administration’s immigration crackdown.Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been the most frequent Cabinet member aboard Air Force One during the campaign trips. Lutnick, a billionaire who previously ran financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, has known Trump since the 1990s.During rallies, Lutnick has highlighted new factory investments and business projects that the president has cited to argue that the US economy is performing well.Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has joined Trump for at least five legs of the campaign tour. His frequent presence suggests he has considerable access to the president beyond what his formal position might indicate.Pulte, whose family is associated with a homebuilding company, briefly served as acting director of national intelligence and oversaw layoffs in that office. He has also led pressure campaigns against Federal Reserve officials Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook.He previously floated the idea of replacing the traditional 30-year mortgage with a 50-year option, a proposal that has since been abandoned.Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has also accompanied Trump, including during a lengthy West Coast trip on October 13 and 14. Carr has sought to use the agency’s regulatory authority over broadcast networks to challenge their coverage of the president.

Trump’s travelling entourage also includes several aides who help manage his schedule, communications and campaign messaging.Natalie Harp, an executive assistant who accompanies the president on most of his trips, is among the regular passengers. Walt Nauta, director of Oval Office Operations, and his deputy, Chamberlain Harris, have also travelled frequently with Trump.Harris additionally serves on the Commission of Fine Arts, one of the government bodies involved in reviewing Trump’s White House ballroom project and other construction plans.Despite Trump’s preference for improvising during public appearances, speechwriting director Ross Worthington has repeatedly joined him aboard Air Force One this month.Trump’s campaign speeches have included a promise of $5,000 checks if Republicans retain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate after the November 3 elections. He has also highlighted proposed factory projects and investments in communities he visits.Communications adviser Margo Martin, who regularly posts videos of Trump on social media, has accompanied the president, as has White House communications director Steven Cheung.Katie Zacharia, who served as White House press secretary for five days, spent two days travelling with Trump during a trip that included Alaska, Nevada, Arizona and Montana.The campaign entourage also includes political strategists working on Republican election prospects.

Matt Brasseaux, Trump’s political director and a former Republican National Committee staffer, has been part of the travelling group.Johnny DeStefano, a senior aide during Trump’s first term who temporarily returned to the White House this summer to work on midterm strategy, has also been seen aboard Air Force One. Former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair has joined the trips as well.The presence of these officials gives Trump access to advisers and aides during long flights between campaign stops, allowing political planning and discussions to continue while he travels.

Trump has also brought several well-known sports personalities aboard Air Force One as he campaigns for Republicans in potentially difficult midterm races.Boxing champions Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Evander Holyfield have all travelled with the president on separate occasions. Tyson and Holyfield have a notorious history: during their 1997 heavyweight championship bout, Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield’s right ear.The two former champions did not travel aboard Air Force One at the same time.Martha Kumar, a professor at Towson University who studies presidential communications, said campaign travel can be stressful and that presidents often appreciate having people around who can help them relax.“You want to have people around you that make you feel comfortable,” Kumar said. “When you think about it, it is really stressful.

You want some relief.”Rapper Nicki Minaj was also featured in a video posted by Cheung on Sunday, in which the communications director interviewed her aboard Air Force One as Trump travelled to Michigan for a campaign rally. Minaj praised the president.The White House has sought to include celebrities at campaign stops, using their appearances to attract attention and add star power to Trump’s efforts to mobilise Republican voters.Other personalities who have travelled with Trump include retired NASCAR champion Richard Petty, who accompanied him to North Carolina; former NFL coach Jon Gruden, who travelled to Ohio; and retired NFL running back Todd Gurley, who joined a trip to Georgia.Influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul has also travelled with the president. These celebrities have made appearances at Trump’s rallies during the campaign tour.

Beyond administration officials, political advisers and celebrities, Trump’s aircraft has carried lawmakers as the president seeks to help Republicans retain control of Congress.Jeff Freeland, the White House liaison with the House of Representatives, has travelled with the president alongside several lawmakers.Republican Representative William Timmons of South Carolina has joined the trips, as have Texas Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Brandon Gill.

Other House members who have travelled with Trump include Brian Jack of Georgia, Tim Moore of North Carolina and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida.Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, has flown with Trump multiple times this month.Texas Senator Ted Cruz has also accompanied the president. Cruz, who previously sought the Republican presidential nomination, is among the political figures considering the 2028 presidential race.With the November 3 midterms approaching, Trump’s travel schedule has become a key part of the Republican campaign effort. His rallies are intended to energise voters, promote his administration’s economic agenda and support candidates seeking to preserve the party’s congressional majorities.