Trump denies reports of tanker damage in Saudi strike, says 'media actually want us to lose the war'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Saturday, March 14, that several American refueling aircraft targeted in an attack on a military base in Saudi Arabia were not destroyed and had already returned to service.
The remarks came after media reports citing US officials said that an Iranian strike had damaged multiple tanker planes stationed at the base.
Trump responded in a post on Truth Social, disputing reports that the aircraft had been destroyed. He also criticized coverage by several US news outlets, arguing that headlines about the incident were misleading.
Trump disputes reports five US tankers were destroyed
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said five US Air Force tanker aircraft had been affected during a recent strike on a military installation in Saudi Arabia, but maintained that the damage was limited.
“Yet again, an intentionally misleading headline by the Fake News Media about the five tanker planes that were supposedly struck down at an Airport in Saudi Arabia, and of no further use,” Trump wrote. “In actuality, the Base was hit a few days ago, but the planes were not ‘struck’ or ‘destroyed.’”
He added that most of the aircraft had already resumed operations. “Four of the five had virtually no damage, and are already back in service. One had slightly more damage, but will be in the air shortly. None were destroyed, or close to that, as the Fake News said in headlines.”
The aircraft were reportedly stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a facility used by US forces and coalition partners in the region.
Trump’s comments suggested that the base had been hit several days earlier but that the damage to equipment on the ground was limited.
The president also used the post to criticize US media coverage of the incident. “The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (in particular), and other Lowlife ‘Papers’ and Media actually want us to lose the War,” he wrote. “Their terrible reporting is the exact opposite of the actual facts!”
Reports say Iranian strike damaged US tanker planes in Saudi Arabia
Trump’s comments came after The Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported that Iranian missile strikes had damaged several US Air Force refueling aircraft at the Saudi base
According to those reports, five tanker planes were affected during the attack while parked on the runway.
Officials cited in the reports said that the aircraft were damaged but not completely destroyed, and that no casualties were reported. The planes were said to be undergoing repairs following the strike.
Trump disputed those claims and also referenced the 2024 election while criticizing media coverage of the incident.
“Fortunately, as proven by our Great and Conclusive Election Win in 2024, the People of our Country understand what is happening far better than the Fake News Media!” Trump wrote.
