US Fighter Jet Crashes in Iran, Pilots Rescued; Trump Threatens to Jail Leak Reporters
In a White House press conference, US President Trump stated that he would pursue and prosecute media outlets and reporters who leaked information related to the rescue of pilots after a US fighter jet crash, claiming the act threatened national security.
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- 📰 Published: April 7, 2026 at 14:57
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 16:00 (1h 3m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 15:30 (311h 30m after Collected)
Reuters reported that Trump's remarks at the White House press conference represent a significant escalation of the administration's offensive against the news media. In recent weeks, Trump has privately complained to staff about excessively negative media coverage of the US-Israel war against Iran, and he and his allies have publicly criticized some media reports.
After a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran on the 3rd of this month, multiple media outlets reported that a US rescue team successfully recovered one of the two pilots on board.
Trump said that the disclosure of this news jeopardized the rescue mission of the other pilot, who was eventually rescued.
Trump said: 'We didn't talk about the first person for a full hour, and then someone leaked the news. We want to find the leaker, and we are actively investigating.'
Trump also said: 'We will go after the media companies that published the news and tell them this is about 'national security, hand over the source, or go to jail'.'
It is unclear which media outlet or reporter Trump was referring to. Several media outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News, and Axios, seem to have reported the news of the first pilot's rescue in a short period.
The White House did not immediately respond when asked which reporter Trump was threatening. (Compiled: Lu Ying-tzu) 1150407
After a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran on the 3rd of this month, multiple media outlets reported that a US rescue team successfully recovered one of the two pilots on board.
Trump said that the disclosure of this news jeopardized the rescue mission of the other pilot, who was eventually rescued.
Trump said: 'We didn't talk about the first person for a full hour, and then someone leaked the news. We want to find the leaker, and we are actively investigating.'
Trump also said: 'We will go after the media companies that published the news and tell them this is about 'national security, hand over the source, or go to jail'.'
It is unclear which media outlet or reporter Trump was referring to. Several media outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News, and Axios, seem to have reported the news of the first pilot's rescue in a short period.
The White House did not immediately respond when asked which reporter Trump was threatening. (Compiled: Lu Ying-tzu) 1150407