President Donald Trump’s visit to New Jersey was momentarily interrupted over the weekend when a squadron of fighter jets was sent to intercept seven “rogue” aircraft that were flying in proximity to his Bedminster golf property.
At approximately 2:50 p.m., six unidentified aircraft entered a temporary no-fly zone established over Trump’s New Jersey estate. The inexperienced pilots were escorted out of the airspace by military jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, as reported by the agency.
Flares were deployed to alert the pilots of their violation of federal airspace, and these flares “are utilized with the utmost consideration for the safety of the intercepted aircraft and individuals on the ground,” NORAD assured, explaining that the flares extinguish in mid-air to prevent igniting a fire upon landing.
The Sunday incident mirrored three airspace violations that occurred on Saturday, resulting in a total of seven incidents above Trump’s Bedminster golf course over the weekend.
Pilots navigating through the area are now being cautioned about Trump’s regular presence in New Jersey due to the consecutive errors. NORAD indicated in its advisory that civilian pilots should meticulously plan their routes and allocate additional flying time if they need to pass near the president’s residence.
Fortunately, none of the violations appeared to be deliberate, as noted by the New York Post.
“General aviation pilots are reminded to check all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notices to Airmen and to be well-informed before each flight,” NORAD stated on Sunday.
NORAD further emphasized that pilots should exercise greater caution regarding temporary flight zone restrictions, such as those above Bedminster, while President Trump is present in the area.
“All pilots are required to become acquainted with updates regarding restricted airspace, which includes the review of both new and existing FAA NOTAMs that may affect their flight plans and operations. Compliance with FAA-restricted airspace regulations is compulsory, irrespective of geographic location, aircraft type, or flight crew,” the statement indicated.
In spite of the alarm raised among aviation authorities, Trump seemed unfazed and in high spirits as he returned to the White House on Sunday evening.
This development occurs as Trump’s campaign and associated political committees have already achieved his ambitious fundraising target of $1.4 billion — surpassing the goal more than a year ahead of schedule — paving the way for what insiders predict will be unprecedented spending in the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump established this target shortly after winning a second term, pledging to utilize his political machinery to safeguard House and Senate Republicans and maintain one-party dominance in Congress throughout his presidency, as reported by The New York Post.
The $1.4 billion objective was initially disclosed in May, when Trump’s team revealed a $600 million fundraising total — already a remarkable achievement. On Friday, they announced that the goal had been fully met through a combination of available cash and committed donations, channeled through the Republican National Committee and his super PAC, Make America Great Again, Inc.
“You know, in presidential elections, it is often said that when you win the presidency, the midterms typically do not favor the winning party?” Trump remarked earlier this year, alluding to the GOP’s losses in the House during 2018. “I believe we are going to perform exceptionally well.”
Despite historical patterns being unfavorable — the ruling party has lost House seats in nearly every midterm election since 1938 — Trump, at 79 years old, has vowed to surpass expectations.
“I believe we are going to significantly enhance our margins,” he stated to Republican governors during a retreat in February. “So we have that funding, and I must allocate it somewhere … if I cannot use it for my own benefit, I suppose that implies I will be investing it in some of my associates, correct? Many of my associates.”