Mattis defends Trump’s F-35 criticism

By Valerie Insinna
Jan. 12, 2017

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the next defense secretary on Thursday characterized his boss as ultimately supportive of the F-35 program, despite recent comments by Trump criticizing the high costs of the program.

Over the past month, Trump has repeatedly used Twitter as his platform of choice to trash the “out-of-control” costs of the F-35. The president-elect has also put the Air Force One program in his crosshairs, tweeting that the program should be canceled.

During a confirmation hearing in front of the Senate armed services committee, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis said Trump has “in no way shown a lack of support for the program. He just wants more bang for the buck.”

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