WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s statements regarding the midair collision that claimed 67 lives came under intense scrutiny Thursday, as CNN’s René Marsh dismantled three key claims he made about the tragedy.
“Here’s a reality check,” Marsh told viewers following Trump’s press conference, in which he speculated on the causes of the crash and placed blame on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Claim 1: Obama and Biden Undermined Aviation Safety With DEI Hiring
Trump suggested that former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden weakened aviation safety standards by promoting DEI initiatives at the FAA.
“That is just misleading,” Marsh said. She pointed out that while the Trump administration has recently scrubbed federal websites of references to DEI, an archived version of the FAA’s website confirms that its DEI policies have been in place since at least 2013—including during Trump’s first term in office.
Claim 2: Air Traffic Controllers Can Work Despite Serious Disabilities
Trump also asserted that the FAA allows individuals with major health issues, including “complete paralysis and epilepsy,” to serve as air traffic controllers. “That claim is simply misleading,” Marsh stated.
According to CNN, Trump’s comment came from language that was previously listed on the FAA’s DEI webpage, which emphasized the agency’s commitment to not discriminating against people with disabilities. However, Marsh explained that the president distorted its meaning.
“He is pulling language that did exist on the FAA’s DEI website,” she acknowledged. “But they were speaking about a broader commitment to not discriminating against people with disabilities across the federal government.”
Marsh also noted that anti-discrimination laws have long prevented federal agencies, including the FAA, from barring applicants solely based on a disability.
Claim 3: Air Traffic Controllers Don’t Need to Prove Their Skills
Trump implied that FAA hiring practices allow unqualified individuals to become controllers, regardless of their ability to perform the job. “That too is misleading,” Marsh said.
She explained that in addition to completing formal academy training, all air traffic controllers must pass a medical examination, a security clearance, and an FAA pre-employment skills assessment before being hired.
“The bottom line is, if you don’t have the skills to pass through the air traffic control academy, you are not directing planes in the tower,” Marsh concluded. “So that was misleading.”
As Trump continues to blame DEI policies for the crash, experts and fact-checkers warn that his statements misrepresent the reality of aviation safety regulations, fueling a political narrative that ignores key facts.