MAGA influencer Steve Bannon characterized downed pilots as an expected consequence of military operations, after reports emerged of a crashed F-15 during the Iran war. Bannon noted CENTCOM had flown approximately 12,000 sorties, stating, "These things are going to happen. You're going to get some people shot down. That's just the reality." Author Brandon Weichert expressed hope the incident would serve as a "wake-up call" for the White House, noting troop movements suggest escalation rather than de-escalation. Weichert warned President Donald Trump continues climbing "the escalation ladder" despite mounting costs, cautioning that ground war involvement would prove a significant problem for the United States.Watch the video below. Your browser does not support the video tag.