A recent report shook up social media, claiming that President-elect Donald Trump might cancel a massive $1 trillion deal to purchase more F-35 fighter jets. The rumors, which spread quickly, were fueled by a report from Lydia Moynihan, a correspondent for the New York Post. She shared an insider’s account on X (formerly Twitter), saying that Trump had allegedly told Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, that he planned to cancel the contract for the troubled fighter jets. The source close to Trump even hinted that China was “winning” the fighter jet race, while Lockheed executives were distracted by “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) camps.
While the post went viral, it didn’t offer solid evidence. Some critics, especially those who believe the F-35 program is full of problems, were quick to embrace the news. They pointed to issues with the F-35’s high cost, crashes, and delays as evidence that the program was wasteful. Fox News journalist Nick Sortor added fuel to the fire, saying the F-35 had become one of the “most wasteful projects in U.S. military history” due to its technical failures and budget overruns.
Despite the growing buzz, Donald Trump did not directly address the rumors. However, Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, quickly fired back, calling the claims “false news” and “fake reporting.” Lockheed made it clear that the contract for the F-35 was still very much alive, and the company was continuing to work with the U.S. government.
A Complex Issue
The timing of the rumors is important. Just days before, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin had reached an agreement for two more lots of F-35 fighters. This agreement was set to bring in new jets and was expected to be finalized by the end of 2024. Despite the technical issues, Lockheed has continued to push forward with the F-35 program, which is expected to play a crucial role in the U.S. military’s future.
However, the rumors about the F-35 didn’t go unnoticed. The controversy sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. Some military fans and defense experts mocked the idea that Trump might cancel the contract, while others warned that the jet program might be on the chopping block. One defense analyst, Alex Luck, even poked fun at Trump’s apparent belief that China had surpassed the U.S. in next-gen aircraft, despite the fact that Lockheed Martin produces more fifth-generation fighter jets than any other nation combined.
Elon Musk’s Influence
The F-35’s fate became even more uncertain when Elon Musk, a key adviser to President-elect Trump, voiced his concerns about the aircraft. Musk, who’s been tasked with overseeing government spending, criticized the F-35 in a series of posts on X. He argued that the jet’s design was flawed from the start, making it too complex and expensive. Musk even called manned fighter jets like the F-35 “obsolete,” suggesting that drones were the future of warfare.
Musk’s comments led to a dip in Lockheed Martin’s stock, as his influence and reputation sparked intense debate online. The idea of moving away from traditional fighter jets in favor of unmanned drones resonated with many, while others defended the F-35’s capabilities. This split opinion highlighted the growing tension over the future of military technology.
The F-35’s Struggles
The F-35 has faced numerous problems since its inception. The project has gone well over budget and has faced many delays. In fact, the F-35 program is estimated to be $180 billion over budget and about ten years behind schedule. Even though Lockheed Martin continues to manufacture the jets, the F-35 still faces challenges with reliability, maintenance, and availability.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published a report showing that the aircraft’s mission capability has been below expectations. In fact, despite the U.S. Air Force spending more money to keep its F-35s in working order, the jets have still failed to meet readiness goals.
But despite all these problems, the F-35 has proven to be a powerful tool in combat. Its stealth capabilities make it effective in avoiding detection by enemy radar, and its advanced sensors and communication systems allow it to gather and share vital intelligence. Experts agree that the F-35 will likely be a key player in any potential conflict with China, especially in a scenario where stealth fighters are crucial for breaking through China’s strong defenses.
The F-35 controversy is far from over. With Trump’s future plans unclear, Musk’s bold statements challenging the traditional fighter jet model, and Lockheed Martin defending the program, the future of the F-35 remains in flux. While some may see the program as one of the biggest wastes of military resources, others argue that the F-35 is here to stay, despite its challenges. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the world is watching closely to see how the U.S. military handles this costly and controversial fighter jet program.
