What's New
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet was shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday, December 22 in an apparent "friendly fire" incident involving the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, the U.S. military confirmed.
Both pilots ejected and were rescued, one with minor injuries, according to Central Command.
The incident sparked a wave of criticism from right-wing commentators on social media, who tied the mishap to broader concerns about alleged incompetencies in the U.S. military.
Newsweek has contacted the Department of Defense and Donald Trump's transition team via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The incident has become a rallying point for those advocating for a military overhaul with the incoming Trump administration in January.
Pete Hegseth, an ex-veteran and the president-elect's nominee for Secretary of Defense, has previously championed these criticisms, promising to reduce the emphasis on "woke" policies in the military, according to NPR.
What to Know
The "friendly fire" incident occurred amid ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, where the U.S. has stepped up operations against Houthi rebels.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Central Command said: "This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway."
Right-wing pundits and Republican leaders seized on the incident as evidence of a weakened military under current leadership, linking it to what they see as a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the expense of operational readiness.
Bo French, the chairman of the Tarrant County, Texas, GOP, criticized Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, alleging that an emphasis on DEI programs had undermined the military's effectiveness.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday, French juxtaposed the admiral's credentials with those of Ernest J. King, who served in the post during World War II, implying that she had been selected to check "race/gender boxes." He also called for Franchetti's resignation over the "friendly fire" incident.
🚨BREAKING NEWS
Last night the USS Gettysburg shot down one of our own F-18s. Instead of lethality, our military is focused on checking race/gender boxes. CNO Franchetti needs to resign immediately. DEI has destroyed our military. pic.twitter.com/NKO2PepB6U
The post had been viewed 167,800 times by Monday.
Right-wing political commentator Sebastian Gorka linked the situation to broader failures, advocating for change under a new administration, writing on X that Trump's inauguration "cannot come fast enough."
What People Are Saying
Bo French, chairman of Tarrant County Republican Party, wrote on X: "Last night the USS Gettysburg shot down one of our own F-18s. Instead of lethality, our military is focused on checking race/gender boxes. CNO Franchetti needs to resign immediately. DEI has destroyed our military."
Sebastian Gorka, right-wing political commentator, wrote on X: "BREAKING An F-18 has been shot down by the USS Gettysburg in a friendly fire incident in the CENTCOM AOR. Both crew members survived. January 20 cannot come fast enough."
Jack Posobiec, conservative influencer, wrote on X: "Is there video of the USS Gettysburg incident? Why has this not been released? The official story is bizarre. Answers are demanded."
What Happens Next
The U.S. military's investigation into the incident is ongoing. Trump has promised to overhaul the U.S. military leadership when he takes office in January.
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