A US Air Force E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ was spotted flying over Los Angeles International Airport for the first time after Nicolas Maduro’s capture on Thursday.
The sight has triggered widespread speculation on social media about the purpose of the rare flight.
The “Doomsday Plane” is not a nuclear weapon itself.
It is a special airborne command centre that has been built to survive a nuclear attack and let government leaders control military operations from the air.
Where was it seen
A US Air Force E-4B “Doomsday” aircraft was spotted flying over and landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday.
The sighting was captured during a live broadcast by the YouTube channel Airline Videos Live, according to sources.
It is believed that it was the first time in the aircraft’s 51-year operational history that it appeared at LAX.
Videos of the landing quickly spread across social media platforms and drew wide public attention.
What’s believed to be the first appearance in its 51-year flying history, the Boeing 747 E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the “Doomsday Plane,” showed up at LAX during Thursday’s Airline Videos Live broadcast and will most likely be the highlight of 2026! pic.twitter.com/wvc39ypRnP
— AIRLINE VIDEOS (@airlinevideos) January 9, 2026
Why was it seen
According to reports, the Boeing 747 E-4B Nightwatch landed at LAX on Thursday night, January 9, 2025.
The New York Post reported that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was on board the aircraft.
Hegseth is currently travelling as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom” tour.
It focuses on promoting the US defence industry and encouraging military recruitment.
An official Department of Defence notice said Hegseth was scheduled to visit Los Angeles to meet defence industry leaders.
Internet personality Laura Loomer was also reported to be on the plane.
WATCH:@PeteHegseth told new US military enlistees at the Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) that they are the real elites and 1 percenters in our country because they are dedicating their life to something bigger than everything else: God and Country.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 9, 2026
Is… pic.twitter.com/AEelmaWITc
It’s not everyday you get to fly on the Doomsday plane. pic.twitter.com/bDuz5PnOnN
— Olivia Rondeau 🇺🇸 (@rondeaulivia) January 9, 2026
Speculation online: ‘beginning of WW3’?
The sighting led to intense discussion online.
Many social media users have also found the timing when the plane has been spotted, the tensions in Iran and recent occurrences in Venezuela as alarming.
Many users questioned why the aircraft had landed in Los Angeles. Some posts linked the appearance of the plane to nuclear war planning or an incoming crisis.
One social media user wrote, “And the doomsday plane meant for nuclear war just showed up at LAX.”
Another said, “BTW – the doomsday plane was seen landing at LAX today, whatever that means.”
Some even pointed to a ‘nuclear war.’
Many netizens said that the plane flies all the time, and the situation is normal.
During this time of heightened tensions in and outside the US, the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the the "Doomsday Plane," is on a so-called "industrial tour." Its first stop: Los Angeles with a landing at LAX.
— Jeff Vaughn (@JeffVaughn) January 9, 2026
I'm told one of the two Doomsday planes will be… pic.twitter.com/Wh6N4Vbjja
Iran protest
Iranian authorities said on Saturday they may step up their crackdown on the country’s largest anti-government protests in years.
The death toll has risen to 65, and the Revolutionary Guards blamed the unrest on terrorists.
New mass rallies took place overnight in major Iranian cities, with protesters criticising the Islamic Republic.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed the United States for the unrest.
US Iran
On Friday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that “rioters” were trying to “please” US President Donald Trump.
“There are some agitators who want to please the American president by destroying public property,” Khamenei said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also directly accused the US and Israel of fanning the unrest.
“This is what the Americans and Israelis have stated, that they are directly intervening in the protests in Iran,” Araghchi said during a visit to Lebanon.
“They are trying to transform the peaceful protests into divisive and violent ones,” he said.
Additionally, President Trump has said that he is ‘ready to help the Iranian people’.
JUST IN:
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 10, 2026
President Trump says the US is ready to help the Iranian people secure their freedom amid growing anti-Iranian regime protests all over Iran. pic.twitter.com/YTVT0VZS0g
Many social media users have said the timing of the plane’s sighting, rising tensions in Iran, and recent events in Venezuela is alarming.
What is confirmed
Officials have not confirmed any crisis linked to the flight. Most of the things on social media are speculations.
No official statement said the landing was connected to nuclear planning.
Grok, X’s AI chatbot, stated, “The E-4B’s capabilities are indeed built for extreme scenarios, but its landing at LAX on 8 January appears routine based on flight trackers – no official alerts of crisis from the Air Force or White House,” reported The Business Standard.
The E-4B Nightwatch serves as a flying command post during emergencies.
It is designed to survive a nuclear attack and maintain communication if ground systems are destroyed.
Lastly, it is advised that everyone refrain from speculations and look forward to official statements and sources.
Read more: Iran protests: Pakistan embassy sets up crisis unit
