FACT CHECK: Was The Missing F-35 Found In Cuba?
A post shared on social media purports that the F-35 fighter jet that went missing was recently discovered at a Chinese base in Cuba.
BREAKING: The US military’s $80 million F-35 fighter jet is reported to have landed at the Chinese base in Cuba according to military sources. Because of course… this wouldn’t be the first time China asset Joe Biden has handed weapons to the enemy. TREASON.
— The Trumpertarian (@Libertarians4DT) September 18, 2023
Verdict: False
The claim is inaccurate. The jet was found in South Carolina.
Fact Check:
A pilot was forced to eject from an F-35 fighter jet after what had been described only as a “mishap,” NBC News reported. The jet may have been in autopilot when the pilot ejected, however, this is still being investigated.
The Twitter post claims that the U.S. military has confirmed their F-35 was found in Cuba. The post shares this information in text.
The post reads, “BREAKING: The US military’s $80 million F-35 fighter jet is reported to have landed at the Chinese base in Cuba according to military sources. Because of course… this wouldn’t be the first time China asset Joe Biden has handed weapons to the enemy. TREASON.”
The claim is inaccurate. There is no credible news report that suggests this story is accurate. The post offers no evidence or source to verify the claim the jet was found in Cuba.
Credible reports, such as NBC, indicate the jet was found in South Carolina. The military estimated the location based on the jet’s flight path. Joint Base Charleston tweeted that they were searching for the missing jet near Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. Local news outlet KCAL News reported a local South Carolina man told reporters he heard the jet over his house. (RELATED: No, CNN Did Not Report That Cash App Went Bankrupt)
Based on the jet’s last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.
— Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023
This is not the first time misinformation has been shared online. Check Your Fact debunked a post that the NFL told Colin Kaepernick to sell hair products instead of playing football.
