(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump‘s response to the fatal crash has become a hot topic on social media. From his comments on social media, to blaming DEI programs and the Biden Administration. On Wednesday night (Jan. 29), a midair collision between an American Eagle passenger jet and an Army helicopter grounded flights in Washington, D.C. According to the Associated Press, the crash happened around 9 p.m. local time and involved an American Eagle flight arriving at Ronald Reagan National Airport from Witchita, Kansas.
Donald Trump claimed to be “fully briefed” on the American Eagle jet and helicopter collision and monitored the situation on Wednesday night. However, the tone of his initial post has received mixed reactions, given what it implies — that the helicopter crashed into the plane on purpose.
“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 didnt the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didnt 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,” Trump wrote.
A few minutes later, the president added, “What a terrible night this has been. God bless you all.” More than nine hours later, he finally addressed the impacted loved ones of the crash.
“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 wrote on Thursday morning.
On Thursday, he brought some of that Truth Social energy to the press conference while speaking on what happened. The president opened with,“As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,”per the AP. He also appointed Chris Rocheleau as the FAA’s acting commissioner. But he dragged the agency’s DEI efforts for allegedly hiring incompetent employees. And he made this assertion WITHOUT official confirmation of what caused the crash.
“The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agencys website,” said Trump.
He claimed the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy, and “dwarfism.” Additionally, he said the air traffic controllers role needs genises in place.
“They have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses,” President Donald Trump said. “You cant have regular people doing their job.”
While he acknowledged that there was no evidence of DEI being related to the crash, he maintained that “it just could have been.” He also blamed Biden for alleged lackluster security, but his proof, he said, was “common sense.” Also, in the conference, he questioned whether the names of the victims involved don’t have any weight in the investigation.
“The names of the people who were on the plane, you think thats going to make a difference?” Trump asked.
Local Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly announced early Thursday morning that emergency efforts have shifted from rescue to recovery efforts. While Trump points fingers, recovery efforts on the ground have led to at least 28 bodies pulled from the Potomac River. There were 64 people on the passenger jet and three on the helicopter. The fire chief said survivors are unlikely, and Trump affirmed that assessment at the press conference.
Crews were still searching for other casualties as the incident is likely to become the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years. Emergency responders found the body of the plane upside down in three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also found.Virginia Senator Mark Warner told the press on Thursday morning that family death notifications are still happening and are the priority, per AP.
Last night, the Federal Aviation Administration halted all takeoffs and landings from the D.C. airport. The passenger jet and Blackhawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River. According to the AP, emergency rescue officials launched inflatable boats into the river near the airport along the George Washington Parkway. CNN shared that Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that the Maryland State Police had sent divers into the river at the crash site. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has also deployed resources.
Amid the breaking news, American Airlines first addressed the incident at the Ronald Reagan National Airport via X. They confirmed knowing about the collision and announced plans to share information “as it became available.” In a follow-up press release, AA revealed that the American Eagle flight (5342) had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. They provided contact information for folks seeking information about loved ones who were on the jet.
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are in contact with authorities and assisting with emergency response efforts.If you believe you may have loved ones on board Flight 5342, call American Airlines toll-free at 800-679-8215. Those calling from outside the U.S. can visit news.aa.com for additional phone numbers. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call 800-679-8215 directly.”
American Airlines CRO Robert Isom spoke out in a video statement overnight about the incident. “Id like to expres our deep sorrow about these events. This is a difficult day for all of us at American Airlines, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, partners, and first responders, along with their families and loved ones,” he stated.
Two Russian figure skating coaches whose son recently finished fourth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were among those feared dead after an American Airlines and an Army helicopter collided and crashed into the frigid waters of the Potomac River.
U.S. Figure Skating confirmed that several skaters, coaches, and family members were on the commercial flight after attending a development camp that followed the national championships that ended Sunday in Wichita, Kansas.
Two of those killed were Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were well-known Russian skaters but have been coaching at the Skating Club of Boston since 2017.
According to the AP, audio from the air traffic control tower tried to alert the military helicopter about the passenger jet. “PAT25, do you have the CRJ in sight?” the controller reportedly asked the aircraft.
Media Chief Heather Chairez, from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, revealed more details about the helicopter to CNN. The Black Hawk that crashed was reportedly on a training flight. Soon after the crash, the tower reportedly started redirecting air traffic before the FAA grounded all flights. An observation camera video from the Kennedy Center reportedly shows a fireball in the sky when the jet and helicopter collided.
Hamaad Raza reportedly spoke with WUSA9, revealing that his wife was on the flight. He said she had texted him, saying they were 20 minutes from landing. However, he became worried when his response texts didn’t go through.
“I’m just praying that someone is pulling her out of the river right now as we speak,” Raza told the outlet.
Early Thursday, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told CNN that she expects operations at the Ronald Reagan National Airport to resume by 11 a.m. However, individual airlines will make their own decision about when they reopen.
This breaking story is being updated live. Please refresh for updates.
