A storm of outrage has erupted online after former President Donald Trump’s remarks on the tragic Washington DC plane crash, with the hashtag #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace quickly trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Trump, speaking hours after the deadly collision between an American Eagle flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, used the tragedy to launch a pointed attack on his political adversaries, particularly over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The crash claimed the lives of 67 people, including 60 passengers and crew aboard the flight and three soldiers in the helicopter.
By Thursday morning, multiple bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River.
However, rather than offering condolences, Trump pivoted to criticize the federal air traffic control system, implying that DEI initiatives—designed to increase diversity in hiring—could have played a role in the disaster.
In a bizarre rant during a press conference, Trump linked the crash to what he described as a “decline in standards” in air traffic control, accusing Democrats of pushing policies that prioritize diversity over competence.
He suggested that these policies, including hiring individuals with disabilities, might have compromised safety.
Trump went further, claiming that his administration had enforced “much higher standards” for air traffic control during his presidency and that these standards had been undermined under President Biden’s administration.
Trump’s comments were quickly criticized by many, who saw them as an insensitive attempt to politicize a tragedy.
His remarks were met with fierce backlash, and Americans took to X to voice their frustration, calling his response a “national disgrace.”
The hashtag #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace trended throughout the day, as many slammed the former president for using the crash to push his political agenda.
