US President Donald Trump thanked and congratulated Yaniv Hayoun for his role in helping save flydubai flight FZ1073 during the hijacking attempt, in a TikTok post published Friday.
“He is a Trump fan. I am a fan of his, a big fan,” Trump said.
Trump went on to say that Hayoun “learned how to fly by watching air disasters on television.”
“He’s my kind of guy,” Trump said, adding, “He can be my plumber. He can be whatever he wants to be.”
Trump concluded by calling Hayoun a hero and sending his best wishes to his family. “You like me, and I like you. Thank you, Yaniv,” he said.
The post came after Hayoun and other passengers on the flight met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and, at the end of the meeting, asked the prime minister to tell Trump that he is “crazy about him.”
Hayoun meets with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee
Hayoun also met with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee at the US Embassy, with the encounter later shared on the ambassador's X/Twitter account on Friday.
“Just remember that if I am ever on a plane with you and something goes wrong, I am going to be looking for you,” Huckabee told Hayoun before embracing him.
“Thank you for saving the lives of 170 people,” Huckabee said, adding, “Had it not been for you, we would not be having this conversation.”
Huckabee relays Trump's praise to Hayoun, gifts him signed MAGA hat
Huckabee also relayed more of Trump’s praise, telling Hayoun, “The president is incredibly impressed with your heroism, your willingness to sacrifice for people you didn’t even know.”
“Given how much you have done for this country, I felt that the public’s gratitude toward you and President Trump, who has done so much for us, was insufficient. I felt that the level of appreciation was too low, and I wish I could speak to him to tell him how much we value and love you both for what you are doing for our country,” Hayoun said.
The ambassador gifted Hayoun a red “Make America Great Again” hat the president gave to him as “just a small thank you for the extraordinary act of courage that saved lives and made us all very, very proud.”