If you look there are so many observations that invalidate the claim.

Here's one on land at varying distances up to 35 miles:
https://youtu.be/FUuOmNIZQP4

Here's on over water at varying distances:
https://youtu.be/_JDxeiHLvwI

There's FE core laser tests which we some of the more comprehensive. There's long distance photos over 270 miles with the same result.