Golden Raptor
During a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, observers noticed a golden F-22 Raptor pin adorning Trump’s lapel. The choice of this particular accessory raised questions and speculation.
F-35 Discussion
The detail is especially intriguing considering Turkey’s desire to rejoin the F-35 program, from which it was ejected in 2019 after purchasing Russian air defense systems. Both presidents acknowledged that the F-35 would be a topic of discussion during the meeting.
No Announcement
Despite Trump’s optimistic remarks about Turkey’s potential to acquire the F-35, no public announcement was made following the visit regarding the F-35 or any other deal.
Pin’s Continued Presence
Trump continued to wear the F-22 pin throughout the day’s meetings and even sported it the following day at the Ryder Cup, further fueling speculation about its significance.
Unanswered Questions
While the White House confirmed that the pin was indeed an F-22, they declined to comment on the reason behind Trump’s choice to wear it during the meeting with Erdogan. The mystery surrounding the pin’s selection remains unsolved.
