Pennsylvania senator mistakes ‘Star Wars’ prop for drone in post expressing national security concerns: ‘Action should have been taken long ago’

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano added a photo of a “Star Wars” prop to an otherwise earnest social media post, expressing national security concerns about drone sightings in the country. After being challenged by X users and the community notes feature, the politician clarified that he had used “an obvious ‘Star Wars’ prop as a meme.”

“It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers or taken any steps to shed light on unidentified drones,” Mastriano wrote, alongside a photo of a TIE fighter. “This administration’s recklessness was demonstrated last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. This should be considered a threat to our nation and our citizens and it is high time for action. We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suspect Ukraine is more important to the White House. January 20 can’t come soon enough.

The post ended up being reported by X with a community note, stating that the item was that of a “Star Wars spaceship prop/replica.” On Tuesday, Mastriano cleared the air – not of drones – but of confusion.

“I posted a statement about drones and used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme. The Philadelphia Inquirer just called to ask if I knew it was a prop. Hilarious. Modern Dad’s “Journalism,” Mastriano.