White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dropped a bombshell on social media that has the mainstream media running for cover.
It’s all connected to President Trump’s historic Middle East trip.
And Karoline Leavitt just shared one image that left the press totally terrified.
Press corps spooked by fighter jet escort
The White House Press Secretary posted a jaw-dropping video to X showing Qatari fighter jets escorting Air Force One during President Trump’s Middle East trip.
“Qatari Fighter Jets welcome AF1!” Leavitt wrote above the video, adding a plane emoji to emphasize the dramatic scene.
Qatari Fighter Jets welcome AF1! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/izEbJUVNe6
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) May 14, 2025
What should have been seen as a routine diplomatic welcome quickly turned into a panic-inducing moment for the liberal press corps.
President Trump emerged from the press cabin aboard Air Force One to speak with reporters en route to Doha, Qatar. That’s when he decided to have a little fun with the nervous journalists.
Trump informed the reporters that officials had told him “yes” they do “need” the fighter escort the plane was about to encounter.
“You’re gonna be surrounded by eight fighters, you know, in about seven minutes,” Trump told the press. “Then you say, ‘Do we need them?’ And when they say ‘yes,’ that doesn’t make me feel good, right?”
The comment sent reporters into a frenzy. One immediately jumped in with alarm, asking: “Is it a threat? Did they tell you what the threat is?”
President Trump, clearly enjoying the moment, replied with a cryptic pause before stating, “Uh, no, there’s– Let’s assume there’s no threat. We have to assume that,” while making a facial expression that further unsettled the already anxious press corps.
Fighter escorts are standard diplomatic protocol
The reality is that fighter jet escorts for visiting heads of state are a common diplomatic courtesy in many countries, especially in the Middle East. They represent both respect and security for visiting dignitaries.
But the mainstream media, always looking for the next “Trump crisis” to manufacture, couldn’t help but leap to the most alarming conclusion possible.
NewsNation cameras later captured footage of the Qatari F-15 fighter air escort, showing the impressive display that had the press corps so rattled.
This incident highlights the stark difference between how the media treats President Trump compared to previous administrations. Under Biden-Harris, such a diplomatic escort would likely have been portrayed as a sign of America’s strong alliances.
Under Trump, it becomes a terrifying threat scenario.
Trump’s Middle East diplomatic blitz continues
The fighter jet escort story emerged as President Trump continues his strategic diplomatic tour across the Middle East, working to strengthen alliances and bring stability to a region that saw unprecedented peace agreements during his first term.
In the same conversation with reporters, Trump praised his recent meeting with the Syrian president, calling him a “young, attractive guy, tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”
These diplomatic engagements come as critics continue attacking Trump over Qatar’s offer of a $400 million aircraft to serve as the new Air Force One.
While Trump and his administration have made it clear that accepting such a gift from a strategic ally is not “bribery,” opponents from across the political spectrum have criticized the move.
The fighter jet escort incident shows once again how the press will seize on any opportunity to create drama around President Trump, even turning standard diplomatic protocols into frightening scenarios to push their narrative.
But as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s post demonstrates, the administration isn’t backing down from showcasing America’s strong relations with Middle Eastern allies, regardless of how it makes the press feel.
