Trump jabs ally while retelling story about plunging plane: ‘That's the story I got’
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Oval Office of the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President Donald Trump on Wednesday recounted what he repeatedly called an “amazing” story about an Israeli plumber who supposedly helped save a plunging passenger plane — while acknowledging he didn’t know whether the extraordinary account was true.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed the story to him after a FlyDubai Flight plunged thousands of feet amid a violent cockpit incident.

“I did speak to Bibi Netanyahu at length about this event,” Trump said.

Trump claimed an injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door before an Israeli plumber rushed in, pulled the other pilot from his seat and grabbed the controls.

“Having never flown a plane, he took the stick, lifted it up and leveled out the plane before it crashed,” Trump said.

“Now, this is the story that I heard,” Trump quickly added. “I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s the story that I got from Bibi.”

Trump then dropped what he called “the craziest thing” about the wild tale.

“When I asked why he did that, he said he watches the show ‘Air Disasters.’ You know the show? It’s that crazy show,” Trump said. “But he said he watches it a lot, and he learned from watching that show sort of how to fly.”

"I mean, you tell me, this is the craziest thing," Trump said.

Trump repeatedly marveled at the account, telling reporters and those in the Oval Office with him on Wednesday that it was “the most amazing story.”

He also remained captivated by the plumber’s apparent actions.

“Well, now maybe I will start watching it,” Trump said of ‘Air Disasters.’