Patriotic flyovers trigger New York Times reporter

The stunning display of America’s military in flyovers celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday set one New York Times reporter on edge, igniting a different sort of fireworks on social media.

President Donald Trump’s made good on his promise to deliver epic America 250 Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C., including a historic procession of aircraft that roared over appreciative crowds. But for Lulu Garcia-Navarro, a podcaster for the Times, it was too much.

“Why are we having so many jets scorching over DC?” the host of “The Interview” asked in a post on X on July 3. “Nerve-wracking. I get 250 celebrations but it feels like the apocalypse.”

Why are we having so many jets scorching over DC? Nerve-wracking. I get 250 celebrations but it feels like the apocalypse.

— Lulu NYT (@LuluGNavarro) July 3, 2026

Her post would go on to earn more than four thousand comments on X, where she was buried under criticism.

I’m sorry America is happening to you

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) July 3, 2026

I had to check to make sure this wasn’t a parody account 😂

What a clown 🫵🤣

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 3, 2026

Sorry for triggering you 🙁

— Lulu NYT (@LuluGNavarro) July 3, 2026

“We are sad the loud noises of Air Supremacy scare you,” snarked the US Oil & Gas Association account.

“Welcome to American superiority. You have them to thank for being able to enjoy your soy latte and yoga pants in peace and security,” wrote country music singer-songwriter John Rich.

“We can hope it’s the apocalypse for the America-hating that your publication foments and spews,” the Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway wrote.

“It can be lonely being someone who absolutely loves America and lives in the DC area,” Hemingway added in another post, calling out Garcia-Navarro as a “propagandist.”

It can be lonely being someone who absolutely loves America and lives in the DC area. Like this New York Times propagandist below, many neighbors also show no love. They have trans flags and USAID flags, but not American. It’s almost like being in a foreign or occupied country. https://t.co/7hIqrDS6OW

— Mollie (@MZHemingway) July 3, 2026

“TRIGGER WARNING: Well, Happy Independence Day. I don’t like fireworks either! Why? I have PTSD from covering wars. Your body remembers the sounds of conflict even if you are past the effects,” fired back Garcia-Navarro, the Peabody Award-winning journalist who spent time covering wars and international conflicts.

“But also, lots of people don’t like jets and fireworks! My niece who is with me has auditory processing disorder. There are lots of ways to love America and celebrate Independence Day. Enjoy yours!” she added.

TRIGGER WARNING: Well, Happy Independence Day. I don’t like fireworks either! Why? I have PTSD from covering wars. Your body remembers the sounds of conflict even if you are past the effects. But also, lots of people don’t like jets and fireworks! My niece who is with me has… https://t.co/sgSIuJzhvC

— Lulu NYT (@LuluGNavarro) July 4, 2026

But the self-defense was not enough to shield Garcia-Navarro from the onslaught of criticism.

I work in a veterans home with men that have all fought in wars. They all just laughed at this post. 🙄

— Gothic Autistic (@stroker_rick) July 5, 2026

Well, give her credit for leaving the comments on. She’s getting roasted. May even get PTSD

— Illegitimus ᵁᴸᵀᴿᴬ ᴹᴬᴳᴬ (@illnoncarb1) July 4, 2026

“I have PTSD from covering wars” pic.twitter.com/NhZ5jzHPiZ

— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) July 4, 2026

You will never hate anything as much as the journos hate America https://t.co/hHucWf3kkF

— Jarvis (@jarvis_best) July 3, 2026

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer -- [email protected]
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.

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