The nation's 47th president says name of new F-47 jet is 'a beautiful number'

The decision to name America’s next-generation fighter jet as the “F-47” has prompted widespread commentary on social media that the plane is named for President Trump, the nation’s 47th president.

As he left the White House after Friday’s announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn’t respond to a reporter’s shouted question whether the jet is named for Mr. Trump. Mr. Hegseth said he is “proud of the F-47, it’s a very important platform.”

The president himself didn’t exactly discourage the notion that the weapon system’s number is meant to honor him. During the Oval Office announcement that Boeing was getting the contract, Mr. Trump said “the generals picked a title and it’s a beautiful number.”

“Nothing in the world comes even close to it,” the president said. “The F-47 will be the most advanced, the most capable, the most lethal aircraft ever built.”