Donald Trump vs. CNN's Kaitlan Collins: What sparked their clash over Washington midair collision?

UPDATED: Jan 31, 2025 23:44 IST

As the nation grappled with the deadliest aviation disaster in over two decades, President Donald Trump attributed the tragedy to diversity and inclusion hiring policies. Speaking from the White House briefing room, Trump claimed that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had lowered hiring standards during former President Joe Biden's administration.

The collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday night resulted in 67 fatalities. Trump, without waiting for the full investigation results, accused Biden-era FAA policies of prioritizing diversity over competence.

Trump’s remarks led to a heated exchange with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. Collins challenged the President on blaming diversity policies and the military before a full investigation had been completed, reports The New York Post.

“We don’t yet know the names of the 67 people [who] were killed, and you are blaming Democrats and DEI policies and air traffic control, and seemingly the member of the U.S. military who was flying the Black Hawk helicopter,” Collins said. “Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of the investigation right now?”

Trump shot back, “I don’t think so at all. I don’t think the names of the people—you mean the names of the people that are on the plane—you think that’s going to make a difference?”

Collins pressed further, asking, “Does it comfort their family to hear you blaming DEI policies?”

The President responded that he could provide a list of victims and assured that the White House was coordinating with American Airlines and the military. Then, he took a swipe at Collins, who was recently promoted to CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent.

“I think that’s not a very smart question,” Trump said.

As Collins attempted to clarify his stance on air traffic controllers, Trump cut her off. “I’m surprised, coming from you,” he remarked.

Trump’s pledge to restore air travel confidence

During his remarks, Trump doubled down on his criticism of diversity-focused hiring at the FAA, citing a past directive that suggested the agency’s workforce was “too white.”

“We’ll restore faith in American air travel, I’ll have more to say about that,” he concluded.

With the official investigation still underway, Trump's comments have sparked intense debate over the role of diversity policies in aviation safety and the broader implications for hiring practices in federal agencies.

According to Trump, the FAA’s push for inclusivity led to the recruitment of individuals with “severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions,” including those with hearing and vision impairments, paralysis, epilepsy, and dwarfism. He argued that such policies had eroded safety measures, contrasting them with his own administration’s alleged emphasis on excellence in air traffic control standards.

During a White House press briefing, Trump also criticized former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, claiming they had weakened air traffic controller qualifications. He said he had reversed Obama-era standards to ensure “only the highest aptitude, the highest intellect, and psychologically superior people” were hired but asserted that Biden had undone these changes, making air travel less safe.

Trump didn’t stop there. He went on to blast former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, calling him a “disaster” who had mismanaged the FAA under the Biden administration.

(With input from AP)