An American's whereabouts were unknown on Friday after Iran shot down a U.S. fighter jet, as questions mounted online over what happened to the missing service member and if the Trump administration would comment on it.
President Donald Trump had not yet responded to the attack, which was the first time an American jet had been shot down since the military strikes launched five weeks ago. It was unknown what had happened to the missing pilot.
The president has apparently been briefed on the situation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN.
Iran was reportedly offering its citizens a reward valued at about $76,000 U.S. dollars to find the pilot alive, CNN reported.
People reacted online and called out the Trump administration for the dangerous situation.
"Donald Trump had time to take Tiger Woods' call after he crashed his car again, but I don't see him addressing the American people after a U.S. fighter jet was shot down in Iran and there's a desperate search to find the pilots. I guess daddy's not home today," entrepreneur and Democratic strategist Mike Nellis wrote on X.
"Are they briefing Trump on the fighter jet being shot down, or just soothing him with boom boom TikToks?" Journalist Aaron Rupar wrote on X.
"Early reports from Iranian media suggesting US pilot in custody. Would take this with a large grain of salt, and hope it’s not the case. As it would be a significant escalation," Adam Cochran, professor, policy consultant and journalist, wrote on X.
"The escalation is why Trump will do if they have an American in custody. You don’t have to think the US actions there, were good or justified, in order to recognize that an American POW complicates the situation, and makes off-ramps less likely," Cochran added.
"These two things, I can’t help but read them together. Trump, threatening war crimes, and now, a possible POW. This stupid, bad-faith behavior puts our people at greater risk of mistreatment. Praying for the safety of our soldiers at all levels," John Jackson, U.S. veteran of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, wrote on X.
"Really really hope this doesn’t become a hostage situation," political scientist and author Ian Bremmer wrote on X.
"Iran ministry of foreign relations has put out at least one statement indicating us soldiers will be regarded as prisoners of war under geneva convention…but only if the united states reciprocated. secretary of defense pete hegseth has said 'no quarter, no mercy' for us enemies," Bremmer added later in a separate X post.
"You’re absolutely right — the correct term is POW. Let’s just hope Iran sees it that way — considering Trump has said repeatedly that it’s NOT a war," Democratic strategist Jon Cooper wrote in response to a comment on an X post.