President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Thursday afternoon about the deadly plane collision in Washington DC that killed more than 60 people; there were no survivors.
An American Airlines flight traveling from Wichita, Kan., collided with the military chopper while approaching Runaway 33 at the DC airport around 9 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Trump initially posted about the tragedy on TRUTH Social:
“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise,” Trump said in a follow-up post.
Trump addressed the nation from the White House Thursday afternoon.
“We grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us,” Trump said. “In moments like this, the differences between Americans fade to nothing compared to the bonds of affection and loyalty that unite us all.”
“We are one family and today we are all heartbroken.”
“We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas, and I think we’ll probably state those opinions now,” Trump says.
“Because over the years, I’ve watched as things like this happen, and they say, ‘Well, we’re investigating,’ and then the investigation, three years later, they announce it.
“We have some pretty good ideas.”
Trump also went after the previous administrations, blasting them for putting policy over safety.
“I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary. You remember that only the highest aptitude to be highest intellect and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers. That was not so prior … I always felt this was a job and other jobs too.
“And then when I left office and Biden took over, he changed them back to lower than ever before. I put safety first Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first, and they put politics at a level that nobody’s ever seen, because this was the lowest level.”
“About a week ago, almost upon entering office, I signed something last week that was an executive order, very powerful, and restoring the highest standards of air traffic controllers and others.”
“You have to be talented, naturally talented — geniuses — you can’t have regular people doing that, won’t be able to do it, but I will restore faith in American air travel.”
Trump also went after former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“He’s run it right into the ground with his diversity.”
“[The] FAA website states they include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism all qualified for the position of a controller.”
“The FAA — another story — determined that the workforce was too white… they actually came out with a directive — too white — and we want the people that are competent.”
Watch clips from Trump’s address below:
President Trump provides update on DC plane crash: “I speak to you this morning in an hour of anguish for our nation. Both aircraft crashed instantly. Sadly, there are no survivors. Our hearts are shattered and our prayers are with you now and in the days to come.” pic.twitter.com/qFDnX6yprR
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) January 30, 2025
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump just EVISCERATED the FAA, and blamed their incompetence on their DEI practices during his press briefing on the DC plane crash
Holy CRAP.
Trump also CALLED OUT Pothole Pete Buttigieg, saying he had a “good line of bullsh*t”
“He has run FAA right… pic.twitter.com/JHQjZd6w71
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 30, 2025
