Trump’s ‘hurtful’ joke while replying to reporter’s query on DC plane crash site visit divides Internet

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump dismissed a question about an immediate visit to the site of the horrific air crash with a joke about swimming during a press conference in Washington, DC on Thursday, January 30.

The president blasted DEI and woke practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and mentioned that a commercial aircraft and the Black Hawk helicopter were both at the "same height" during the collision, according to Daily Mail.

An American Airlines flight, that had 60 passengers and four crew members, collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter outside Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC on Wednesday, January 29, night. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. There were three soldiers in the helicopter.

By late Thursday afternoon, more than 40 bodies had been recovered, per CNN.

How did Donald Trump respond to reporter’s query on DC plane crash site visit?

During the Thursday press conference, Donald Trump was asked if he was aware of any performance issues or disciplinary actions with anyone working at DCA's air control tower or the aircraft during the crash. To this he replied, "No".

Trump was later asked if he had any plans to go visit the site where rescue workers scour the Potomac River for bodies and collect debris regarding investigation about the crash.

The president replied, "I have a plan to visit – not the site. Because what – you tell me. What's the site? Water. We're going to go swimming?"

However, instead of visiting the Potomac, Trump stated that he would be meeting with family members of some victims.

He said, "I will be meeting with some people that were very badly hurt, with their family member, obviously, but I'll be meeting with some of the families."

In wake of deadly crash, Trump signed an executive order appointing an acting commissioner for the FAA and a memo directing the transportation secretary to roll back DEI policies.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf summarized the president's latest executive order shortly before he signed it. He mentioned it called for an "immediate assessment of aviation safety in light of the damage done to aviation safety by the Biden administration's DEI and woke policies".

Scharf added that it called for the new acting FAA administer to "basically ensure that we are actively undoing all of that damage, that we are assessing how much damage was done" and ensured that FAA employees "are only the most outstanding, capable people for the jobs that they're being hired into", per the outlet.

Furthermore, Trump dismissed concerns that a government-wide email offering paid resignation "buyouts" to 2 million workers would take a toll on the 50,000-strong FAA.

Internet divided as Donald Trump jokes while replying to reporter’s query on crash site visit

People online stayed divided and shared mixed reactions as Donald Trump dismissed a question about an immediate visit to the site of the horrific air crash with a joke about swimming during a press conference.

A user wrote on X, "It's amazing how good Trump is at trolling them", while one added, "He handles them like an absolute pro lmao."

A person also stated, "Trump demands action, not just photo-ops, focusing on real results."

Another mentioned, "Hahaha this guy is the King of trolling."

Meanwhile, a user wrote, "Trump’s response seems pretty dismissive, almost joking about the situation. It’s definitely a curious way to handle a serious question, sounds like he didn’t take the reporter’s concern seriously."

Another commented, "Right, what’s the point of visiting a horrific wreckage site in a river? Terrible idea. I sometimes wonder how these people get their jobs!"

A person said, "Imagine hearing that as a parent of one of the many children on that plane."

Another added, "It’s funny but probably hurtful for the families involved."

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.