Author and Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn identified himself as the previously unnamed passenger targeted by the man shown restrained with duct tape in images that circulated online. In an interview with CBN News, Cahn alleged the confrontation unfolded on American Airlines Flight 618 and escalated into a struggle over his laptop before the plane diverted to Baltimore.
‘The conversation shifted’
Cahn said he was returning home after interviews promoting his new book, The Altar of Pergamon, when his assigned seat was changed shortly before boarding. He said his new seat placed him next to a man who initially seemed friendly. According to Cahn, they spoke for about two hours about books and family.
Cahn told CBN News he silently prayed for an opening to share his faith and then described his journey from atheism to belief in God. “At that moment, I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “His face changes. His voice changes.” Cahn characterized the shift as spiritual: “It was like someone getting taken over.”
‘We are literally wrestling’
According to Cahn, the man swung between friendliness and hostility, cursed Jesus and God, and then put his hands around Cahn’s neck and lightly struck him. Cahn said a black line appeared on his laptop screen; when the other passenger tapped the computer, the black area spread. He said he felt prompted to protect the device because it contained his writings, and when he tried to move with it, “the passenger lunged for it.”
“We are wrestling on the plane,” Cahn told CBN News. “I mean, we are literally wrestling.” He said the pilot contacted the ground for an emergency landing as the struggle continued.
Duct tape, diversion, and custody
Cahn said two passengers, including a retired police officer, intervened. According to his account, flight attendants provided duct tape to restrain the man, and the plane landed in Baltimore, where authorities took the passenger into custody.
Cahn said images and media reports about the duct‑taped passenger did not capture the full context he experienced onboard.
Framed as spiritual warfare
Linking the episode to themes in his new book, Cahn described the incident as part of a larger spiritual battle. “The warfare is real, the enemy is real, and God is real,” he said. He added that he prays for the passenger: “God loves you. God’s arms are open. He loves you, and He’ll receive you and wash that all away and give you a new beginning.”
