'Carry on patriots': Trump officials defend pilot after fighter jet stunt

A US Navy fighter jet from the Blue Angels demonstration squadron flew dangerously low over a crowded Florida beach during an air show, creating a spectacle that sent chairs and tents flying and sand billowing up from the shore. Video footage captured by onlookers at Pensacola, Florida, shows the jet flying so low that beachgoers covered their ears. The US Navy stated it was conducting a "thorough safety review" following the incident.

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The flyovers will continue until morale improves.

Despite the safety concerns, several Trump administration officials voiced support for the maneuver. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, "The flyovers will continue until morale improves," without further explanation. The Pentagon's top spokesman, Sean Parnell, shared a photo of the jet with the caption "Carry on Patriots." The White House also tweeted a cartoon depicting people on a beach watching a Blue Angels jet, accompanied by the words "Freedom" and "It's okay to love America."

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Carry on Patriots

This incident is not the first time such low-altitude military flyovers have drawn scrutiny. While often popular with crowds, these maneuvers have previously led to public concern and military investigations. Officials in the Trump administration have continued to back these flights, even as safety reviews are conducted.

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Freedom