The White House complains about the theft of belongings from the presidential plane by journalists

Air Force One, one of the symbols of the American presidency (Reuters - Archive)

An American press report revealed the widespread phenomenon of theft of the belongings of the press correspondents’ room on board the US presidential plane “Air Force One” when journalists were traveling on board with the president, which sparked an uproar in Washington, DC.

The Politico website stated in a report yesterday that, “For years, dozens of journalists and others have quietly stuffed their bags before getting off the plane with everything, from glasses designated for drinking whiskey (a type of wine) decorated with engravings, to wine glasses (a liquor product) and any "Something that almost bears the Air Force One badge."

According to the report, last month, the White House Correspondents' Association sent an email to its members with a stern warning about journalists keeping items missing from the press room as souvenirs, and said that this matter would not go unnoticed.

It is customary for 13 journalists to accompany the US President when he travels, as they sit in a cabin in the back of the Boeing presidential plane. The media will pay the travel costs of journalists, including meals and drinks served to them on board.

A picture from inside the US presidential plane during the era of former President Barack Obama 

Available for purchase

The cabin crew distributes only small bags of chocolate chips bearing the presidential seal and the president's signature. Mugs and other utensils bearing the Air Force One logo are available for purchase online.

But it seems that this is not enough for many reporters traveling on Air Force One. A Politico report described the sounds of dishes and glassware hitting each other inside the journalists’ backpacks as they got off the plane.

In one case, a former White House correspondent for a major newspaper hosted a dinner party, where food was served on a set of gilt-rimmed plates that had been stolen from Air Force One and assembled in stages.

At least one reporter responded to the Correspondents' Association's reprimand, and a "secret" meeting was arranged between him and an official press official in a park across from the White House to return an embroidered pillow he had stolen from the reporters' cabin on board Air Force One. Politico said the handover was completed from one hand to another and "it's over."

Source: Agencies