The nation is mourning the 67 lives presumed lost in last night’s collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet at Reagan National Airport, the deadliest U.S. air disaster in decades. As the investigation into the crash was in its early hours and bodies were still being recovered from the Potomac River, President Trump today asked for a moment of silence for the victims and families, calling the tragedy “an hour of anguish” for the country. “As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,” he said.
He then turned from consolation to criticism, using the tragedy to support his political agenda and blaming the disaster on his Democratic predecessors and diversity programs. Trump acknowledged that the investigation was just underway, and at various points seemed to blame errors by air traffic control and the helicopter pilot. When asked what evidence he has for his claims that diversity hiring played a role, he said: “It just could have been.” Asked again, he responded: “Because I have common sense, OK, and unfortunately a lot of people don't.”
Trump’s comments drew fiery responses from Democrats — who called them “grotesque,” “outrageous” and “despicable” — and from others. “At these moments you’re supposed to take a solemn note of respect. That’s what we do in America when tragedy occurs,” presidential historian Douglas Brinkley told The Washington Post. “But Trump tried to use it as an opportunity to push the MAGA 2025 agenda in a nonsensical way.”