In what was supposed to be a routine White House press briefing about Wednesday’s tragic DC air disaster, CNN’s chief correspondent found herself on the receiving end of a characteristic Donald Trump takedown. Indeed, she just learned the hard way that Trump is not to be messed with!
The exchange came as reporters gathered to discuss the devastating collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives near Reagan National Airport.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins attempted to corner the President about his earlier statements on the crash. But what was CNN’s star reporter really trying to hide?
“We don’t yet know the names of the 67 people who were killed, and you are blaming Democrats and DEI policies,” Collins challenged, her voice rising. “Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of the investigation right now?”
CNN’s Failed Attack
Trump’s response was immediate and devastating.
“I think that’s not a very smart question,” he fired back, fixing Collins with a steady gaze. “I’m surprised coming from you.”
Trump rips CNN’s Kaitlan Collins after she grills him about ‘blaming Democrats and DEI policies’ over DC plane crash: ‘Not a very smart question’ https://t.co/WdW3CqRxCb pic.twitter.com/pc5TLpOBG1
— New York Post (@nypost) January 31, 2025
The exchange highlighted a deeper crisis facing American aviation safety – one that Trump wouldn’t let Collins deflect from with emotional appeals.
“I changed the Obama standards from very mediocre at best to extraordinary. You remember that, only the highest aptitude, the highest intellect, and psychologically superior people were allowed to qualify for air traffic controllers,” Trump declared in the press conference.
What Collins seemed desperate to avoid discussing was the FAA’s controversial shift away from merit-based hiring. Trump pulled no punches in exposing the dangerous policy changes.
“The FAA diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing,” Trump revealed, citing directly from FAA documentation.
Trump then detailed how the Biden administration had systematically dismantled safety standards put in place during his presidency.
“When I left office and Biden took over, he changed them back to lower than ever before. I put safety first,” he said.
The President specifically called out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as a “disaster” who ran the FAA “right into the ground with his diversity” initiatives.
America First vs. Politics First
While Wednesday’s tragic crash investigation remains ongoing, Trump emphasized a critical choice facing the nation’s transportation infrastructure: excellence versus ideology.
“The FAA determined that the workforce was too white,” Trump explained. “They actually came out with a directive, too white, and we want the people that are competent.”
The stark contrast between administrations couldn’t be clearer. Under Trump, America demanded excellence. Under Biden, America got diversity quotas. If that doesn’t alarm you, it should.
As recovery efforts continue in the Potomac River, Trump’s promise rings with renewed urgency.
“We’ll restore faith in American air travel,” he said.
The choice facing Americans is simple: Continue down the path of politically motivated hiring practices or return to an era when excellence and safety came first. For the families of Wednesday’s victims, that choice has never mattered more.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump exposed how Biden’s DEI policies replaced merit-based hiring standards at the FAA with dangerous diversity quotas.
- CNN’s attempted “gotcha” moment backfired when Trump revealed shocking details about the FAA’s lowered standards.
- The administration’s focus on diversity over competence puts American lives at risk.
- Trump pledged to restore excellence and merit-based standards to ensure air travel safety.
Source: The New York Post
