In his first outdoor rally since surviving a recent assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump drew criticism for a major factual blunder during a speech in North Carolina. While railing against Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden’s handling of national security, Trump made a questionable claim about U.S. military capabilities.
“The world is on fire, and Kamala and Biden have marched us to the brink of World War III,” Trump declared, criticizing the current administration for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, and Israel.
Trump then asserted, “They want people to be held accountable for failure and incompetence, and it’s just not acceptable that something like that could happen. These are fighters. They fight with broken, old, obsolete weapons and knives. We have F-16s, We have F-35s, F32s. And we were knocking the hell out of them, just knocking the hell out of them.”
The problem? No such aircraft as the “F-32” exists. This significant error has sparked widespread mockery and raised concerns about Trump’s grasp of critical military details. The slip underscores a recurring issue with Trump’s statements on complex topics where accuracy is essential.
The misstatement about the “F-32s” highlights a broader pattern of misinformation and confusion surrounding Trump’s public remarks, particularly regarding national defense. For a former president and potential future leader of the United States, such errors raise serious questions about his understanding of military matters.
This incident adds to a history of gaffes and inaccuracies that have marked Trump’s public speaking career. Critics argue that while he may excel at creating headlines, his lack of precise knowledge on critical issues like national security is troubling.
The gaffe quickly became a trending topic on social media, with users ridiculing Trump for the erroneous claim. This latest blunder serves as a reminder of the challenges Trump faces in maintaining credibility on high-stakes issues.
Check some of the reactions below:
Trump: We have F-16s. We have F-35s, F-32s and we were knocking the hell out of them pic.twitter.com/CVauwcxcy2
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 21, 2024
F-32s, eh? They courtesy of your sharpie? Sit your arse down, Bone Spurs.
— DrJackBrown 🌊 (@DrGJackBrown) August 21, 2024
I was waiting for "We have F-150's…"
— Goodspeed 🐏 🏠 (@d_goodspeed) August 21, 2024
We have bi-planes ……we have blimps….. https://t.co/eSKeOMj0VE
— Michael Cleere (@mikecleere) August 21, 2024
WTF is an F32?
— Sandy (@sandiechill) August 21, 2024
I think all that bulletproof glass is cutting the oxygen off to Trump brain. Well, what little brain that’s left.
— Thomas St James (@Thomasstjames3) August 21, 2024
Ah good, another imaginary thing from Dementia Donnie. We now have the formidable F-32!
— Wise PaxCat (@WisePaxCat) August 21, 2024
this is exactly why his generals and joint chief of staff didn’t endorse him…they KNOW he is unfit pic.twitter.com/4pFWBRjcf9
— n_a_ny_minute (@nanyminute) August 21, 2024
WTF is rambling about? This is supposed to be a speech on security??
— Macomb vs. EVERYONE (@BomberBear808) August 21, 2024
Apparently, in Trumps alternate fantasyland, the F 32 went into production.
— Paul the other one… (@paulcshipley) August 21, 2024
Wth is a F-32? And wth is he talking about?
— Starsgma (@StarsgmaVargas) August 21, 2024
Ah! The F-32s that landed at our airports during the Revolutionary War. Remember?
— Kathryn Pick Smith (@KeepinItRealKat) August 21, 2024
