Trump blames dwarfism, DEI hires for fatal Washington airliner collision

U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed “diversity hires” for the deadly mid-air collision between an airliner and a military helicopter in Washington on Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people.

Speaking at a press conference, Trump accused the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama of prioritizing diversity policies over safety, leading to incompetent hires within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The crash, which occurred late Wednesday night, involved a Bombardier jet operated by an American Airlines subsidiary and a Blackhawk military helicopter, both of which crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport.

While confirming the fatalities of all those aboard both aircraft, Trump attributed the crash to a combination of pilot error and, controversially, the “diversity” initiatives implemented under the Democratic leadership. “I put safety first. Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first,” Trump said, criticizing the FAA’s recruitment policies for allegedly excluding qualified candidates in favor of meeting diversity quotas.

The wreckage of the Bombardier jet, which was carrying 64 passengers, was found protruding from the river, surrounded by emergency responders. The Blackhawk helicopter, carrying three soldiers, was also located in the water. Emergency crews, including divers, had shifted from rescue to recovery efforts, with Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly confirming the discovery of 28 bodies.

The collision marked the first major air crash in the U.S. since 2009, when 49 people died in a crash near Buffalo, New York. The planes were on a routine flight path near the busy Washington airspace when the crash occurred. Air traffic controllers had been in communication with the helicopter prior to the incident, instructing it to pass behind the airliner moments before the crash.

Trump’s remarks quickly drew sharp criticism. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, an openly gay cabinet member under Biden, was singled out by Trump, who accused him of mismanaging the transport sector through his focus on diversity. “He’s run it right into the ground with his diversity,” Trump said. Buttigieg responded on X, calling Trump’s comments “despicable” and urging him to lead rather than spread falsehoods while families mourned.

Among the victims were several members of the U.S. figure skating team, as well as Russian skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, winners of the 1994 world pairs title. Officials said the aircraft were following standard flight patterns in clear weather, but Trump and his allies, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, continued to argue that the crash was preventable.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also suggested the crash could have been avoided, while Trump criticized the helicopter’s flight path, calling it “unbelievably bad.”

As authorities continue their investigation into the incident, the crash has reignited political debates surrounding diversity policies and their impact on public safety.

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