Trump Slams CNN’s Kaitlan Collins During Plane Crash Briefing: ‘That’s Not a Very Smart Question’
In a recent press conference, President Donald Trump criticized CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins while discussing the tragic collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the loss of all lives on board. During the conference, Trump blamed the crash on the “woke” hiring policies of previous administrations, especially those of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, stating that he places safety above political correctness.He specifically mentioned the Federal Aviation AdministrationS (FAA) focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring, which he claimed detracted from safety measures. Collins challenged Trump’s assertions, questioning whether it was too early to assign blame before the examination had concluded. Trump dismissed her concern, asserting that the names of the deceased would be released soon and implying that such details were not central to the discussion. The day before the crash, Trump had signed an executive order to revoke the FAA’s DEI hiring practices, further emphasizing his stance.
President Donald Trump slammed CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins at a news conference Thursday, in which Trump briefed the media about the Wednesday air collision in Washington, D.C.
Earlier in the conference, Trump criticized former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden for their administrations’ woke hiring policies, suggesting they played a role in the crash.
“I put safety first; Obama, Biden, and the Democrats put policy first,” Trump said.
He later cited verbatim the hiring parameters of the Federal Aviation Administration, which focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Several reporters threw pointed questions at Trump regarding his DEI comments specifically.
Among them was Collins.
“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 that Black Hawk helicopter,” Collins said.
“Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of the investigation right now?”
“No, I don’t think so at all,” Trump said. “You mean the names of the people that are on the plane? You think that’s going to make a difference?
“They are a group of people that have lost their lives. If you want a list of the names, we’ll be giving that very soon. We’re in coordination with American Airlines; we’re in coordination very strongly — obviously — with the military, but I think that’s not a very smart question. I’m surprised coming from you,” he said.
Trump to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins: “That’s not a very smart question — I’m surprised, coming from you.” pic.twitter.com/ZrIOICJ5tg
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 30, 2025
Just one week prior to the accident, Trump signed an Executive Order dismantling the FAA’s DEI hiring practices.
“This Presidential Memorandum orders the Secretary of Transportation and FAA Administrator to immediately stop Biden DEI hiring programs and return to non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring,” the order read.
On Wednesday night, an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over Washington, D.C., sending flaming debris into the Potomac River below.
Sixty passengers and four crew members were aboard the jet, while 3 soldiers were aboard the helicopter — a Sikorsky H-60.
None survived.
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