UMVA has learned that a recent appearance by a high-profile military strategist on a popular news network has sparked intense online speculation about his identity.
Retired US Navy Seal vice admiral Robert Harward appeared on a live show discussing the war in Iran, but some viewers were distracted from his take on the conflict due to an unusual shadow on his neck.
The shadow above his short collar made his skin appear to have a hollow dent, giving the rest of his neck a mask-like appearance, Reddit users pointed out in disbelief.
Some social media users went as far as to claim that the person purporting to be Harward was someone else wearing a ‘very realistic face mask,’ sparking a heated debate that escalated into memes of famous masked characters.
One user asked ‘Hey jokes aside what is going on here?’ as the speculation gained momentum, but eventually, someone explained what is likely to have caused the line on his neck, including a double shadow from a light and from his shirt collar, and the low quality of the video.
Despite the logical explanation, some users refused to believe it, with one saying: ‘That is a very reasonable explanation and I don’t doubt that’s whats going on, but man no matter how hard I try I cannot see it as anything other than a mask.’
Harward, known as Bob Harward, is a seasoned military leader who served in the United States Central Command, which is responsible for American military operations abroad, including in the Middle East and Asia.
