NBC's Tom Costello bashed as he blames Trump for Toronto Delta plane crash: 'Canada isn’t the 51st state'

The plane, a Bombardier CR900 that carried 80 people, crash-landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport after taking off from Minneapolis
Tom Costello was blasted online after he blamed President Donald Trump for the Delta Airlines plane crash that happened in Toronto, Canada (Screengrab/NBC News and Getty Images)
Tom Costello was blasted online after he blamed President Donald Trump for the Delta Airlines plane crash that happened in Toronto, Canada (Screengrab/NBC News and Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: NBC pundit Tom Costello blamed President Donald Trump for the horrific Toronto plane crash even though it took place in Canada on Monday, February 17 afternoon.

The plane, a Bombardier CR900 that carried 80 people, crash-landed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport in Canada after taking off from Minneapolis in the US, reported Daily Mail. 

The plane reportedly flipped and seemed to land upside down around 3 pm. However, no casualties were reported and at least 15 people were taken to the hospital.



 

NBC's Tom Costello blames Donald Trump for Toronto Delta plane crash

After the plane crash was reported, NBC News senior correspondent Tom Costello said that the "string" of recent plane crashes would "yet again raise the concern about FAA staffing," per the outlet.

"Now, this is a Canadian air traffic control tower, and this is under Canadian authority once it crosses the border, and yet, as you know there has been talk about maybe staff cuts at the FAA as a part of President Trump's effort to trim down the federal workforce," he added.

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 17: Emergency personnel work at the scene of a Delta Airlines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. Several passengers were injured on the flight coming in from Minneapolis, resulting in the suspension of all flights at Canada's busiest airport. (Photo by Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a Delta Airlines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025, in Toronto, Canada (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)

Costello continued by contradicting his statement, "At yet, as you also know, the FAA has been complaining for years that they are understaffed in critical job positions, especially air traffic control."

"I was having a conversation with somebody today about whether air traffic control in America has been affected by the staff cuts - so far not to their knowledge," he further added.

Costello also mentioned that "this is going to feed into all of these recent incidents."

Meanwhile, the Trump administration started firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers on Monday, February 17. 



 

According to Daily Mail, David Spero, the President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, said that the first emails about layoffs were sent to probationary workers late on Friday, February 14 night.

The Delta Airlines plane was hit by strong winds of 70 mph as it tried to land during a winter storm that has been sweeping the US, according to Fox News.

Out of the 15 injured, two adults and a child sustained critical injuries, and 12 other patients were taken to local hospitals who had less serious injuries, the outlet stated.

NBC's Tom Costello slammed for blaming Donald Trump for Toronto plane crash

Several internet users slammed NBC pundit Tom Costello after he blamed President Donald Trump for the horrific Toronto plane crash despite it occurring in Canada.

A user wrote on X, "You mean Trump is to blame for worldwide plane incidents? Good to know," while one added, "What a shame. Tom Costello used to be pretty good."



 



 

One person stated, "It crashed in Canada. It’s almost like they think Canada is part of the US," while another commented, "Sorry guys, Canada isn’t the 51st state yet so you can blame Trump."



 



 

One individual wrote, "By tonight they will claim Trump was flying the plane," while another remarked, "He calls himself an aviation expert."



 



 

One netizen claimed, "Ok you made me laugh."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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