President Donald Trump recently blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies for the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, even though he had no proof. His words angered experts, journalists, and even one of the most famous pilots in history. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroic Hudson River landing in 2009, had a clear reaction: “Not surprised. Disgusted.”
Miracle on the Hudson’s Capt. Sully responds to Trump’s attempt to blame the plane crash on DEI: “Not surprised. Disgusted.”
pic.twitter.com/Kc8DkQWU7k— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) January 31, 2025
Here’s what happened: Trump began his speech at a rally by honoring the victims with a moment of silence but quickly turned the focus to his political agenda. He claimed that DEI policies had weakened aviation safety despite no evidence supporting this. When asked if DEI could have caused the crash, he said, “It just could have been,” and mentioned that “psychological quality” was necessary. Reporters pointed out the lack of proof linking DEI to the crash, but Trump stood firm, saying, “Because I have common sense. OK? And unfortunately, a lot of people don’t. We want brilliant people doing this.”
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Captain Sullenberger is an expert on aviation safety. In 2009, both engines of his plane failed after hitting birds. He had no time to reach an airport, so he skillfully landed in the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board. His success was due to experience, training, and strict aviation standards—none of which have anything to do with diversity policies. Experts agree that pilot qualifications, air traffic control, and technology keep aviation safe. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), major airline crashes in the U.S. are extremely rare because of strict safety protocols.
Trump also mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had weakened hiring standards under Democratic leadership. However, those policies have been in place since 2013, including during his presidency. When reporters asked why he did not change them while in office, Trump replied, “I did change it.” There is no evidence that he did. The FAA’s hiring standards remain strict, requiring extensive training and qualifications.
But why does Trump always blame others without waiting for the facts? His reaction to the crash is just another example of this pattern. This is not only misleading, but it’s also dangerous because it spreads wrong information before we even know the truth. A tragedy like this should unite people, not be used as an excuse for political attacks.
Featured image via Screengrab
