Facts Matter – US Navy Racing to Recover 2 Crashed Aircraft From South China Sea

Host: Roman, The Epoch Times
Date: November 26, 2025

Main Theme

This episode explores multiple breaking developments in US-China relations, with a focus on:

• The US Navy’s urgent recovery efforts of two aircraft lost in the South China Sea before China can potentially retrieve them.
• The debate within the Trump administration over loosening restrictions on AI chip exports (specifically Nvidia H200) to China.
• The arrest of four individuals for smuggling advanced chips to China.
• The latest ruling in former President Trump's defamation lawsuit against CNN.

Roman emphasizes factual reporting and in-depth analysis for listeners to make up their own minds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Potential Export of Nvidia’s AI Chips to China (00:50–07:50)

• Context:
  Since 2022, export controls have prohibited US companies from selling advanced AI chips like Nvidia's H200 to China. The Trump administration is now reconsidering this policy.

• Latest Developments:

  • The Trump administration is in preliminary talks on whether to allow Nvidia to sell H200 chips to China.

    “President Donald Trump’s team has held internal talks about H200 chip shipments … No final decision has been made, and it’s entirely possible that the idea remains an internal debate and never results in actual license approvals.” — [01:55]

  • US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirms the decision is now “on President Trump’s desk.” — [03:12]
  • The White House is pressing Congress to reject the GAIN AI Act, which would force Nvidia to prioritize American buyers over foreign clients.

    “Nvidia has been fighting to stop the GAIN AI Act from becoming law for several months because it believes the bill will create more problems … Limiting sales to China, it argued, would only lower their revenue and slow development of new AI chips.” — [05:40]

    • The administration’s argument: US domestic demand is already met; further restrictions would harm Nvidia’s business without genuine security benefit.

2. Smuggling of AI Chips to China: Recent Indictments (07:50–12:30)

• The Smuggling Operation:
  • Four men (two Chinese nationals living in the US and two American citizens) allegedly conspired to export restricted Nvidia chips to China between September 2023 and November 2025.
  • The operation used shell companies in Florida and Alabama, routing shipments through Malaysia and Thailand.

    “Prosecutors alleged that the four defendants conspired... to illegally export [GPUs]... The scheme relied on a Tampa based company Janford Realtor, owned by Ho and Li, and not involved in real estate, which acted as a front...” — [09:44]

  • 400 Nvidia A100 GPUs were shipped to China before law enforcement intervened in later exports.
  • The defendants received nearly $3.9 million in wire transfers from China as part of the scheme.

  “...another indictment back in August… two Chinese nationals… indicted for shipping tens of millions of dollars worth of microchips to China, including Nvidia H100 GPUs…” — [11:45]

  • Despite these export controls, black market channels persist, but with added legal risk.

3. US Navy Racing to Recover Downed Aircraft in the South China Sea (12:30–18:45)

• Incident Details:
  • In October 2025, an F/A-18 Super Hornet and an MH-60 helicopter fell from the USS Nimitz into the South China Sea. The exact cause is unconfirmed, but Trump suggested possible fuel contamination.

    “Both aircraft went down within about 30 minutes in late October... All personnel were rescued, and while the Navy has not identified a cause, President Trump suggested... contaminated fuel may be responsible.” — [13:49]

  • Salvage ship USNS Salvor is on-site for immediate recovery.

    “US Navy ship salvor model number TARS 52, a safeguard class salvage ship operated by Military Sealift Command is on scene conducting operations.... For your reference, the Salvo ship has a lift capacity of 300 tons, which is more than enough...” — [15:10]

  • Strategic Stakes:
    • Both wrecks contain sensitive technology. If China recovers them first, it could significantly boost their defense expertise.

      “Acquiring an airframe and surviving systems will provide valuable insight into its technological strengths and how to defeat it.” (former Director of Operations at US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center via CNN) — [16:25]

    • An F/A-18 would be a first for China, potentially aiding their carrier-based jet development; the helicopter could advance PLA Navy anti-submarine operations.
    • Geography may favor China, who could complicate US recovery efforts despite official ambiguity.

      “If China makes it a race, it enjoys home field advantage and can be expected to impede our recovery efforts if it chooses. Meaning unlikely but possible.” — [18:20]

4. Trump’s Defamation Lawsuit Against CNN Dismissed (18:50–23:30)

• Background:
  • Trump sued CNN in October 2022 for defamation, citing use of the term “big lie” (used 7,700+ times, per the suit) in their coverage of his election claims.

    “CNN’s use of the term ‘big lie’ was repugnant but not defamatory.” (Judge Anurag Singhal’s dismissal, 2023) — [21:45]

  • Trump’s lawyers argued he can’t be called a liar since he subjectively believes his statements on election fraud. Trump also alleged the phrase was intended to connect him to Nazi propaganda.
  • The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld CNN’s win, finding that subjective interpretations of Trump’s conduct are valid, and he did not adequately allege falsity.

    “Trump has not adequately alleged the falsity of CNN statements, therefore, he has failed to state a defamation claim.” — [22:45]

  • The Epoch Times reached out to both Trump’s and CNN’s legal teams; only CNN replied ("We are declining to comment on the ruling. Thank you very much.") — [23:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “...US commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV earlier that the decision to authorize the sale of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China is now on President Trump’s desk.” — [03:12]
• “Prosecutors alleged that the four defendants conspired from September 2023 through November of this year to illegally export advanced graphics processing units…” — [09:44]
• “Acquiring an airframe and surviving systems will provide valuable insight into its technological strengths and how to defeat it.” (former Pacific Command Director, via CNN) — [16:25]
• “If China makes it a race, it enjoys home field advantage and can be expected to impede our recovery efforts if it chooses. Meaning unlikely but possible.” — [18:20]
• “CNN’s use of the term big lie was repugnant but not defamatory.” (Judge Singhal, order dismissing the case) — [21:45]
• “Trump has not adequately alleged the falsity of CNN statements, therefore, he has failed to state a defamation claim.” (11th Circuit opinion) — [22:45]
• “We are declining to comment on the ruling. Thank you very much.” (CNN spokesperson) — [23:12]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:50: Export controls and Nvidia H200 chips to China
• 03:12: Decision on chip exports sits with President Trump
• 07:50: Indictment of 4 men for smuggling GPUs to China
• 12:30: US Navy’s urgent recovery of aircraft in South China Sea
• 16:25: Strategic implications if China recovers US craft
• 18:50: Trump defamation case background and dismissal
• 22:45: 11th Circuit upholds CNN’s win

Tone & Remarks

Roman’s reporting is clear, fact-driven, and occasionally wry (noting, for example, the oddity of a 45-year-old on a student visa). He underscores the urgency and high stakes of ongoing US-China technology competition, and maintains an impartial, accessible style throughout.

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, multi-layered look at the current flashpoints in US-China relations—from cutting-edge AI chip export policy and technological espionage, to military intelligence risks in contested waters, to high-wattage legal battles over election narratives. It highlights the shifting boundaries between economic, military and informational power in today’s global landscape.

For further details, Roman references links in the episode description and gently reminds listeners to “stay informed, and most importantly, stay free.”