New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- President Donald Trump's departure for a Republican convention in Dallas was briefly delayed on Wednesday after an emergency slide deployed on the Qatari-gifted aircraft he has been using as Air Force One.

The inflatable slide was seen extended from the far side of the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews shortly before Trump was due to board for the flight to Texas. The president had arrived aboard Marine One at about 2:02 p.m. ET and remained inside the helicopter for more than 20 minutes as crews inspected the situation.

Trump later downplayed concerns, telling reporters that the slide deployment was connected to a safety check.

"They were doing a check on the slide, you know, in the emergency. So, I think it takes ...