Trump Links D.C. Plane Crash to Diversity Hiring Practices
Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices "could have been" a factor in the tragic mid-air collision over Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives. Speaking from the White House briefing room, Trump veered off script from his initial remarks about the disaster, instead criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) hiring policies.
The crash, which involved an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter, is still under investigation. However, Trump claimed that DEI initiatives may have contributed to the catastrophe, asserting that only the "best of the best" should be hired for critical aviation roles. "I have common sense," he stated. "Other people don’t."
As previously reported, tense air traffic control audio captured warnings to the military helicopter moments before the fatal collision. Officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash.
During the briefing, Trump criticized Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling his explanations "a good line of bulls***." Sean Duffy, recently confirmed as Secretary of Transportation, echoed Trump’s stance, stating that his department "won’t accept excuses" for the tragedy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance also reinforced these claims.
The accident occurred late Wednesday night when a passenger plane carrying 64 people, including several U.S. figure skaters, collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter above the Potomac River. D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly confirmed that there were no survivors.
Despite the White House press conference’s length, officials have not provided conclusive details on what led to the crash. Trump, however, continued to push his own narrative, blaming air traffic control and the helicopter’s flight path in a series of social media posts.
Transportation Secretary Duffy acknowledged that both aircraft appeared to be following routine flight paths, stating, "Something must have gone wrong." As the investigation continues, aviation experts caution against premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of all contributing factors.
