Amid renewed attention on U.S.–India relations, recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked debate online. As Washington and New Delhi navigate strategic ties in trade, defense, and regional security, a viral claim alleges that Trump confirmed Pakistan shot down multiple Indian Air Force jets during past hostilities.
Pakistan-based accounts have claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Pakistan shot down 5 or 6 Indian Air Force planes.
Another account has shared stating US President Donald Trump confirmed that Pakistan shot down “5 or 6” Indian Air Force planes before India sought US intervention & pushed for peace.
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be misleading. According to an India Today report (July 19, 2025), President Donald Trump stated during a White House dinner that around four to five jets were shot down during the May India–Pakistan hostilities. He again claimed that he had mediated the ceasefire between the two countries by leveraging trade negotiations. However, he did not specify whether the downed jets belonged to India or Pakistan.
Similarly, Reuters quoted Trump saying:
“In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,”
without offering further details or identifying the nationality of the jets.
At no point did Trump confirm that Pakistan specifically shot down Indian jets.
Conclusion
Thus, the claim is false. It falsely attributes a specific statement to Trump that he did not make. While he mentioned jets being shot down, he did not say they were Indian jets, nor did he confirm Pakistan’s role.
