Journalists keep stealing items for souvenirs from Air Force One

04/03/2024 / By Richard Brown

A reporter and a White House staffer recently met to address a recurring issue of items being taken from the presidential plane Air Force One.

The problem came to light when the Office of the President noticed several branded items missing from the press cabin following a trip to the West Coast in early February. In response, an anonymous email was circulated, offering discreet assistance for the “quiet return” of any items “accidentally” taken.

The individual responsible for taking linens from the presidential plane arranged to meet a White House representative near the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square to confidentially return the item.

This instance of petty theft appears to be part of a larger pattern, with multiple sources reporting instances of Air Force One being used as a source of souvenirs by members of the traveling press pack. Anonymous tips even identified a former major newspaper correspondent who reportedly served a dinner party using stolen Air Force One crockery.

Unfortunately, petty theft on official property extends beyond the plane. The executive mansion also experienced incidents in 2015 involving disappearing items, some of significant value. (Related: Journalists are educated to lie, betray and never tell the truth.)

To deter theft, Kelly O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, reminded reporters not to take items from the aircraft. She suggested that items with Air Force One logos could be purchased outside the plane. However, sources indicate that collectible items available for purchase are not of comparable quality to those found onboard.

Members of White House press corps view Air Force One as a source of souvenirs

The clandestine meeting between the White House staffer and the unnamed reporter was reminiscent of a scene from the television series “House of Cards.” However, this covert rendezvous wasn’t orchestrated to exchange state secrets or divulge presidential gossip. Instead, it aimed to rectify an unusual situation – a reporter returning an embroidered pillowcase from Air Force One.

Politico reported on this peculiar incident, shedding light on efforts to curb the pilfering of branded items from the presidential plane. The reporter in possession of the pillowcase likely didn’t acquire it accidentally, prompting the arranged meeting where the item was returned confidentially.

According to Politico, the White House press corps has a long-standing tradition of viewing Air Force One as a source of souvenirs. Instances of reporters suggesting taking items from the plane have been recounted, illustrating a prevalent sentiment among some members of the press.

Furthermore, reports emerged of a former White House correspondent hosting a dinner party using gold-rimmed Air Force One plates allegedly acquired over time. These incidents of light-fingered behavior aren’t new, with anecdotes dating back to 2012, including one involving the daughter of NBC News anchor Brian Williams using a stolen napkin from Air Force One to impress a date.

One unnamed current White House reporter said: “On my first flight, the person next to me was like, ‘You should take that glass.’ They were like, ‘Everyone does it.'”

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