Donald Trump has faced intense criticism following his response to the tragic plane crash in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. The crash involved an American Eagle flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people aboard.

Rather than focusing on the tragedy itself, Trump used the disaster as an opportunity to attack the Democrats and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. He suggested that the crash might have been caused by these policies, particularly the inclusion of people with disabilities in air traffic control positions. Trump claimed that the Biden administration had lowered standards in the FAA by prioritizing diversity over competence.

Trump’s remarks, made hours after the crash, quickly drew widespread anger. Many people took to social media, using the hashtag #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace to condemn his behavior, calling it disrespectful and inappropriate. His statements were widely seen as an attempt to score political points at the expense of the victims of the crash.

The former president argued that the U.S. had better air traffic control standards during his time in office and suggested that the current administration was hiring less competent people due to DEI initiatives. He even went as far as saying that people with disabilities should not be working in air traffic control roles, which further fueled the backlash.

By January 30, his comments had sparked a heated debate online, with many Americans calling for accountability and expressing their disapproval. As the hashtag #TrumpIsANationalDisgrace continued to trend, it was clear that his response to the tragedy had deeply offended a large portion of the American public.