An interpretation of recent events:
The US government is aware of a Chinese surveillance balloon entering our airspace, near the Aleutian Islands. It decides to keep quiet, and monitor the craft’s movements. They don’t wish to upset their masters in Beijing, especially with one of the regime’s ministers about to pay court to the suzerain.
The balloon is noticed by the Americans, and becomes cause celebre. The Biden govt. makes excuses for their failure to act, but these fail to satisfy the unruly populace.
Once the balloon has finished its US tour, the government takes the opportunity to down the vehicle before an appreciative audience. (Perhaps with the prior permission of the Chinese)
To further salve the regime’s embarrassment, it circulates a rumor that “The Former Guy” submitted to previous Chinese balloon flights, and lacked the Bidenesque courage to shoot any of them down. When this doesn’t work out, a plan is formulated between the Canadian and US governments to report multiple new UFOs, and shoot all of them down (or claim to). Even the Chinese report a UFO in their airspace.
In the end, all we know is that, whatever is in the sky, the current regime in the US is on top of it. Thanks, Joe Biden! Thanks, President Harris!