Seriously! All official statements so far have been pretty clear that they're not labeling it a balloon (yet).

A CNN correspondent [0] just claimed that there were conflicting statements from the pilots that it interfered with their sensors as they approached it. And that they couldn't figure out how it was staying in the air. I have no idea where she got those updates, but it certainly adds mystery to the situation.

[0] https://twitter.com/i/status/1624544183208890369

Because we very famously shot down a balloon and everyone is talking about the balloon that we shot down from the air and now there's more objects being shot down from the air and everyone is talking about it.

The government is apparently not saying what these objects were, so people are assuming they're balloons.

Asked if was "balloon-like," the official said, "All I say is that it wasn't 'flying' with any sort of propulsion, so if that is 'balloon-like' well -- we just don't have enough at this point."