Reaction to Biden's shot down Aerial Objects
We ran the numbers:
There are 1,507 news articles covering this topic.
29% (434) are left-leaning, 25% (382) are centrist, and 46% (691) are right-leaning.
In the last three weeks, the U.S. shot down three objects from U.S airspace, with one object believed to be a balloon from a hobby club in Illinois. Left-leaning articles highlight that members of the balloon hobbyist group in Illinois believe one of the objects shot down was one of their balloons, while right-leaning articles highlight China ridiculing Biden’s administration for focusing more efforts on China and shooting down these unidentified objects rather than the chemical spill in Ohio.
AP News published a centrist article reporting on amateur balloonists insisting their hobby poses no threat after multiple unidentified objects have been shot down over the U.S. Over the last three weeks, a Chinese spy balloon and multiple smaller unidentified objects have been shot down. Tom Medlin, a balloon hobbyist, believes that one of the objects shot down over the Yukon was one of their balloons. Medlin states that he understands the government is trying to keep citizens safe, however he believes their balloons are too small to pose any threats to aircrafts.
A left-leaning article by POLITICO highlighted that members of the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade believe that one of the objects shot over the Yukon in Canada was one of their balloons. They said one of the balloons had gone missing near Alaska the same day the U.S. shot down an unidentified object. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated they can’t confirm what the object is and that recovering the debris will be difficult. Kirby affirmed that the U.S has stood by decisions to shoot down the objects over concerns for national security. Members of the club have also stated that although it is unfortunate the balloon is missing, it is “better for the U.S. to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting its airspace.”
A right-leaning article by Fox News highlighted China ridiculing Biden’s administration for focusing efforts on shooting down “harmless objects” rather than the toxic spill in Ohio. On Friday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin deflected conversation away from the spy balloon incident by accusing the U.S. of focusing on China. After a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, and spilled toxic chemicals, Biden’s administration was accused of ignoring the incident and the health of the residents. Instead of focusing efforts on U.S. citizens, Wang stated that the administration put more resources in shooting down objects and pointing fingers at China.
From the left
‘That could be one of our balloons’: Hobbyist says downed object may belong to amateur club
Washington Post