The GOP says the balloon is a “$12 hobby lobby” balloon. Meanwhile, left-wing journalist Max Blumenthal suggested Biden’s take-down orders were to “prove his manhood.” ...

Cruz, R-Texas, joked that Biden’s decision to authorize the $200 million fighter jet to use a $400,000 missile to shoot down what may have been a $12 balloon serves as a "powerful deterrence" to ...

Indeed, the type of balloons used by hobbyists can be had for as little as $12, the publication noted. Each AIM-9X Sidewinder missile costs up to about $400,000.

"The descriptions of all three unidentified objects shot down Feb. 10-12 match the shapes, altitudes and payloads of the small pico balloons, which can usually be purchased for $12-180 each ...

As for the 12 balloons, they come from all over the East Coast, including Massachusetts, Florida, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, Madore said.