On April 4, 2025, an F-16 fighter jet used a “headbutt maneuver” to intercept a civilian aircraft near President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The technique involves the jet flying close and cutting in front of the aircraft. The U.S. military has monitored the airspace around Mar-a-Lago since Trump’s inauguration, responding to over 20 airspace violations. The FAA issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during presidential visits to ensure safety. The aircraft was safely escorted out, with flares used to communicate with the pilot.
