Trump Blames DEI in Deadly Air Crash
In a dramatic White House news conference Thursday, President Donald Trump stirred controversy by linking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies to a catastrophic midair collision above Washington, D.C. The incident, which occurred Wednesday night near Ronald Reagan National Airport, involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, claiming the lives of all 64 passengers on board and three soldiers. The crash is now being hailed as the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over two decades.
During the briefing, President Trump offered condolences for the tragic loss of life before pivoting to a harsh critique of former President Joe Biden and DEI measures. “As bodies are still being pulled from the Potomac, Donald Trump and his grossly incompetent administration are blaming this deadly crash on minorities and white women,” Rep. Ilhan Omar sharply condemned in a social media post, denouncing Trump’s remarks as “disgusting, racist and sexist.”
Trump asserted that DEI initiatives could have “been” a contributing factor to the collision, claiming that policies implemented by the Biden administration were to blame. “Because I have common sense, OK?” he said when pressed to explain his connection between DEI efforts and the crash. Trump argued that after his first term, he raised U.S. aviation standards from “very mediocre” to “extraordinary,” and that those standards were reversed under Biden’s watch. He also read excerpts from articles criticizing diversity initiatives at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), despite evidence showing that such language has been on the FAA website since at least 2013.
At the news conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s call for a hiring system based on merit. Hegseth declared, “The era of DEI is gone at the Defense Department,” while Duffy emphasized that although it is unusual for aircraft to collide, the flight paths in the Washington, D.C. area are typically standard for both military and commercial operations.
The collision occurred shortly before 9 p.m. ET as the American Eagle Flight 5342—operated by PSA Airlines, an American Airlines subsidiary—descended toward Reagan National Airport. The military helicopter struck the jet at about 400 feet over the Potomac River, sending both vehicles plunging into the icy water. Rescue crews have been working under challenging conditions, with District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief John Donnelly reporting that at least 28 bodies had been recovered by early Thursday morning.
Among the passengers on the doomed flight were elite American and Russian figure skaters, their coaches, and family members. U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that the athletes were returning from a National Development Camp held in conjunction with the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stressed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) would be “the sole source of truth going forward,” as the investigation into the midair collision unfolds. In addition to working with local, state, and federal authorities, the airline has activated its care team to support the families of the victims. Isom also announced the appointment of Christopher Rocheleau as the acting commissioner of the FAA.
Meanwhile, critics of Trump’s comments, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, condemned the president’s politicization of the tragedy. Buttigieg urged Trump to lead with empathy and transparency, emphasizing that under his watch, safety and efficiency in air travel have been paramount.
As investigations proceed, the NTSB, FAA, American Airlines, and other relevant agencies continue to examine the circumstances leading up to the collision, seeking answers in a disaster that has not only shocked the aviation world but also ignited a fierce political debate.
Related News : https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com