Candace Owens: F-15 pilot rescue detail mocked after Trump criticism; ‘Exactly like Iron Man’

In a post on

Her remarks referenced the 2008 film iron manThe story opens with a pilot being captured and held in a cave before escaping, echoing the rescue story depicted in the clip.

In the video, Hegseth said: “A downed pilot eluded capture for more than a day, climbing a rugged ridge while pursued by the enemy.”

He added that when the pilot activated the emergency transponder, “his first message was simple… ‘God is good.'”

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He went on to describe a timeline: “Downed on Friday, Good Friday…hiding in cave all Saturday, rescued on Sunday…flew out…Easter Sunday.”

Hegseth concluded: “A pilot is born again, comes home, and everything goes well…The whole country is rejoicing. God is good.”

Also read: Pete Hegseth compares U.S. rescue of F-15E pilots in Iran to Easter weekend worship services

The video itself, posted by the headquarters account, includes a caption that sums up the entire process: “Downed on Friday… Hidden in cave… Rescued on Easter Sunday. A pilot reborn.”

The exchange comes amid a surge of online reaction to statements and comments by figures aligned with Donald Trump, with clips and posts circulating on social media platforms.