Fact Check: Is clip of B-2 Spirit passing warships real?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following the failure of peace talks between the United States and Iran, a video has been going viral, claiming to show a US B-2 stealth plane flying next to warships at sea, sparking questions about its authenticity.
Let us analyse the viral video and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Video shows a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flying by a US Carrier
The viral video shows a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flying by a US Carrier in the Persian Gulf. The video is shared with the claim that the flying exercise is to boost the morale of the troops during intense conflict.
The video appeared as the US is enforcing a naval blockade on Tehran's ports following a failed attempt to broker a deal to end the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
The video was even shared by Alex Jones, against whom President Donald Trump lashed out for criticising the war against Iran.
While many in the comments appeared to believe the video to be real, a few others expressed skepticism and called it fake.
Fact Check: The video is digitally created
A reverse image search for the video reveals that the clip originated on an account that labeled it as digitally created.
The video traces to March 3 posts on YouTube and Instagram from the profile "iceman_fox1," which says it is dedicated to "mixed reality digital aviation videos." Both posts carry the disclaimer that the clip was "created digitally."
Visual elements also suggest the video's lack of authenticity. The people shown on the deck of the aircraft carrier stand almost completely still and do not react at all as the plane flies by.
Donald Trump lashes out at conservative commentators
The post came days after US President Donald Trump angrily lashed out at Jones and other well-known conservative commentators.
In a post shared on Truth Social on Thursday, April 9, he labeled them as “n*t jobs” and “losers” who would say anything just to grab attention.
He directly called out Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, and claimed they “have all been fighting me for years,” adding that he believes they view Iran too favorably.
Trump wrapped up his nearly 500-word message with a strong declaration, “MAGA is about WINNING and STRENGTH in not allowing Iran to have Nuclear Weapons."
"MAGA is about MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and these people have no idea how to do that, BUT I DO, because THE UNITED STATES IS NOW THE 'HOTTEST' COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!"
