What You Need to Know
• Trump proposed a new fighter jet, the F-55, during a recent speech
• He criticized the F-35 for having only one engine and insisted two is “the patriotic minimum”
• Also teased: a “Super F-22,” because he likes the way it looks
One Jet Was Not Enough
PALM BEACH, FL — In a speech filled with high-energy improvisation, Donald Trump revealed plans for a new aircraft he called the F-55. According to him, this jet will be an “upgraded, supercharged version” of the F-35. He emphasized that it would feature two engines, calling the F-35’s single-engine design “very risky, even with great engines.”
He pointed at a man in the crowd and said, “Even this guy, best in the world at engines, still needs two on a bad day.”
The Power of Two (Or Four)
Trump said he prefers jets with multiple engines because they offer “options.” He praised the 747 as an example, stating it has four engines and flies “like a miracle.” While discussing the F-55, he promised a “substantial upgrade” to the current fleet and hinted at advanced features that he described only as “super.”
He added, “You don’t want to be flying around with just one. That’s not American.”
Enter the “F-22 Super”
In addition to the F-55 idea, Trump floated a reboot of the F-22. He described the F-22 as the most beautiful jet he’s ever seen. Plans for the “F-22 Super” would include updated technology and what he called “modern design with some very serious flair.”
He did not say who would design or fund these jets. Instead, he circled back to the topic of engines, noting, “If it looks good and flies fast, you know it works.”
The Pentagon Has No Comment
Defense officials have not acknowledged the F-55 as an actual program. There are currently no public records of a fighter jet by that name in development. Still, Trump insisted that the project is viable, as long as “the price is right and the many engines are very loud.”
At last check, Boeing had not responded to questions about whether they plan to build the F-55 or just quietly wait until this all blows over.
