Trump May Cancel $1 Trillion F-35 Program

Summary:
President-elect Donald Trump reportedly plans to cancel the $1 trillion F-35 fighter jet program, citing China’s advances in aerial combat and a shift toward drone warfare. This follows criticism from Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which called the program outdated and wasteful. Social media reactions echoed concerns about the program’s cost overruns, delays, and crashes. Previously, Trump had praised the F-35 for its stealth capabilities. If the cancellation proceeds, it would have a significant impact on the U.S. military’s fighter jet strategy.

Reports indicate President-elect Donald Trump informed Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet of his plans to cancel the $1 trillion F-35 fighter jet program. Trump cited concerns over China’s advancements in aerial combat and criticized Lockheed for prioritizing “DEI camps” for executives. This aligns with arguments from Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which claims drones are the future of air combat, rendering traditional fighter jets obsolete.

While neither Trump nor Lockheed Martin has confirmed these claims, the reports have triggered significant online discussion.

“Elon has recommended, and Trump has agreed, that the F-35 program is outdated and unnecessary in the era of drone warfare,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another noted, “The crashes, delays, and cost overruns make it one of the most wasteful projects in U.S. military history.”

This marks a shift from Trump’s stance in 2020, when he called the F-35 “the greatest fighter jet in the world” and praised its stealth capabilities as a major combat advantage.

If Trump follows through, the cancellation could have profound implications for U.S. defense strategy and the future of the F-35 program.

source : times now