Aviation Expert Discusses the D.C. Plane Crash and Donald Trump's Response | Amanpour and Company

A massive recovery effort is underway in Washington's Potomac River after a passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board. Authorities say there are no survivors. Aviation expert Miles O'Brien joins Christiane to discuss the midair collision and its aftermath.
Originally aired on January 30, 2025
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@IMEMINE.]

When the twin towers were hit that same day, he noted that now his building is taller than anyone else’s. Screw the victim screw their families. This is the kind of monster we have in my White House.

[@davidcoleman757]

I'd forgotten that. Speaks volumes.

[@marydiaz418]

Narcissist have no empathy and this is what Trump is.

[@carltonwalton9819]

Grow up. You sound like you believe America was founded on morals, ethics and Righteousness.

[@jojo-ov7or]

Excellent point. I also had forgotten about that statement

[@michaelschneider-]

@@carltonwalton9819 ... Agreed, I'll give ya that. .. Doesn't change that Trump is a psychopath.

[@robertbailie9382]

As a retired commercial airline pilot, it is refreshing to listen to Miles O’Brien who, unlike Trump, actually knows what he is talking about.

[@danmarino711]

The orange maga idiot is America's best new DEI hire by America's greedy, dastardly billionaires and big corporations to destroy America by getting their tax breaks and endless subsidies at the expense of tax payers.

[@cherihoward2323]

LoveMiles he is one of the best

[@robertlee8805]

Spot ON. That's why I don't trust the current FAA or any of Trump's officials or what comes out of that LYING CRIMINAL.

[@mariettatrapani291]

Trump Is Absolutely Right On And He Knows What He Is Talking About!

[@peteee1000]

@@mariettatrapani291 Trump is an idiot and talks crap and people like you lap it up. SHAME ON YOU.

[@Yak55driver]

As a pilot of over 25 years, I find Trump's actions relating to this aviation accident unprofessional, immature, and dangerous. Due to the professionals in the NTSB who investigate aircraft accidents, Aviation in the United States has an exceedingly high level of safety and the reality is that the drive to and from the airport is the most dangerous aspect of air travel. For those who would rather consider facts and reality rather than the delusional ramblings of an ill-informed, undereducated, megalomaniac, everyone needs to Shut the F Up on the causes of the crash until those with the training and experience in investigating such events do their job so that the actual causes of the crash can be identified and corrected. If after every such crash, the President chimes in with his “cause da jure” (which today is DEI) and thereby queers an honest investigation, the actual causes will go unreported and unaddressed thereby making air travel much more dangerous. The life that may be lost due to this may be yours or a loved one. Since I am a pilot and many of my friends and family are in aviation, I have had the personal experience of losing a larger number of friends and family due to aircraft accidents than the average bear. I am quite familiar with the investigation practices and reports that are done by the professionals of the NTSB (I am very grateful that I have not personally been involved in such an accident, but I have been serious about studying the NTSB accident reports to learn from the mistakes of others). It is not fun to read the reports of an accident that has taken the life of someone you personally care about, but I have done it several times. I am outraged that Trump has chosen to insert himself into this process with the intent to politicize the outcome. We have seen this from time to time when several nations with bad relations start pointing fingers at their adversary after an accident and the end result is not good. If you would like to pull yourself out of the quagmire of such politicization and move to the solid ground of reality and facts, I highly recommend the series entitled “Air Disasters” by the Smithsonian channel, which you can stream on Paramount Plus. There are 25 seasons with about 10 episodes per season. I am in the middle of season 13 right now. Watch a few episodes and you will come away with an understanding of how ill-informed, stupid, and dangerous Trump's comments are. If he continues to do this I would not be surprised to hear that he has replaced all of the professionals in the NTSB with his ideological minions and from this point on all aircraft accidents are caused by either pilot error or something like DEI, completely ignoring design and maintenance failures due to the choice of profit over safety by the aircraft manufacturing and airline industries. It is apparent that he would not turn down a bribe from those industries to cover up and shift blame.

[@retroactivehistory]

💯💯💯

[@AlexiaR-v1q]

@@retroactivehistorytoo much time on your hands

[@paulaoh5306]

Well said. Trump is reprehensible.

[@barrylane1055]

My dear American neighbours, you cannot imagine how despicable Trump looks to the rest of the world. His ignorance, immaturity, and irresponsibility makes your country look like a bizarre train wreck. He is the ultimate symbol of America's decline, and unfortunately, we will all be obliged to pay for his and your lack of judgment!!!

[@pammiewammiexoxo]

BRAVO!

[@stardust4987]

Not all the bodies had been recovered and he stands there in front of the cameras as the leader of the nation and makes outrageous claims,trying to score political points. The man is despicable and has no moral compass.

[@lauracarstiou3505]

We knew that. This is what we're going to get for four years. I just tune him out and turn him off

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, you would have rather have had Ms. Word Salad Harris up there with her cackling voice trying to talk. She might have been able to pull it off if there was a teleprompter in front of her. She had no empathy for anyone.

[@mr.majestic3851]

@@sassegranny4700 This did not happen under democrats , Democrats had an FAA Directer , Democrats had a TSA Directer , Democrats had an Aviation safety committee , Trump Dismantled the safety commission and fired the TSA directer last week The FAA Directer resigned on Jan 20th courtesy of pressure from Musk .

[@ARetiredPirate]

​@@sassegranny4700The fact that you point to another terrible person to say this is ok.. sais enough.

[@RobertStern-m4w]

U brainwashed idiots wanted this monster in the white house f. The maga maggots that worship this monster

[@BennyT_3434]

DEI - Donald's Extreme Incompetence

[@davemacmurchie6982]

Touche!

[@1006-i7e]

😂

[@excalibur2024guy]

Stealing that. Thank you.

[@FlipPeters]

100%

[@PLS.54]

😂 BEST!

[@alchemydp]

No surprise here. Just sorrow. This is what sociopaths do. Not only insult to the families, but also to all the employees.

[@65TossTrap]

You seem to know a lot about psychology.

[@lenroddis5933]

@@65TossTrap You seem to know little about psychology.

[@marciadryburgh8285]

Trump is pathetic , always has to blame anyone but himself . Never gets the facts correct before flapping his mouth 😡

[@grayisgood]

If something goes right he will take credit. If something goes wrong he will blame. Constantly spinning his narrative.

[@Fuzzeej71]

In his case it takes one to know one. He’s a rotten bag of rubbish

[@davidhaynes3126]

@@grayisgoodi absolutely, he’s very much like a child

[@sonnyfong9462]

@@davidhaynes3126please don’t compare Trump to a child. Trump is a grown up and POTUS. He is evil.

[@tedthoman6580]

Like a child, he was having difficulty "sounding out" the words he was reading. He is a hateful moron, and worse...

[@DM-ve8vb]

Retired airline pilot here. I used to fly shuttle ops for a while between BOS, LGA and DCA. The approach to RNWY 33 is demanding during the daytime and requires extreme concentration at night as the arrival requires a jog to the east to line up. It would be difficult, if not impossible for the pilot of the American Eagle jet to see out to the right while maneuvering toward a runway to the left. The helo pilot most likely misidentified the Jet traffic when he was given clearance to maintain visual separation. One thing is certain, DEI had zero to do with this accident.

[@bernieschiff5919]

Juan Brown just revealed the chopper may have busted the 200 ft. alt. restriction and may have or mis-identified the jet coming directly at them, a group of lights not moving against the ground lights might have been almost impossible to identify. I'm surprised he didn't blame senator Adam Schiff for turning on his office lights in the Capitol and distracting the chopper pilots causing the accident.

[@AnthonyGisme]

The chopper should never been in that air space. THAT IS COMMON SENSE not Donnie's horse sense.

[@davidlipkind9629]

Maybe, just maybe with a proper FAA director there would have been better oversight. Just sayin Do your effing job Donny

[@patriciabeecher72]

@@AnthonyGismeThey shouldn’t be sharing that space. Dangerous.

[@ElyseLucile]

It's looking like that's exactly what happened.

[@jb6879]

Crazy hearing a president and party of anti expertise and anti science try to act like technocrats. Trump doesn’t give two shits about safety unless he’s in the plane.

[@signalfire6]

AF1 and Marine One should be made off limits to him - 'too much DEI, Mr. President. Besides, you never know who hates your guts. '

[@jonbovideadoralive]

​@@signalfire6 Maybe just maybe

[@ElyseLucile]

Well, I can't think of a single president of either party who yapped about what caused a tragedy before the investigators even arrive on scene. Especially injecting inflammatory topics and nonstop name and blame.

[@missygilly9917]

Or he’s making money!

[@danmarino711]

Stop playing, pointing your finger games and lies orange idiot felony along your whole entire unqualify weirdos administration. Do your job right without endangering and creating more sufferings for innocent American lives or get out. America is sick and tired of your BS. The military has no business in training its rotary or fixed wing aircraft around any designated commercial airport, especially around a busy civilian airport. The commander that ordered such training must be prosecuted. They must stop their senseless stupidity.

[@MH-oc4de]

Trump is never one to let a tragedy go to waste; he can always make a bad situation worse. What a POS!

[@cathykrueger4899]

Exactly. He craves the attention and never misses an opportunity to bolster up his lies. He will not and cannot be truthful. He will not and cannot govern. He is in the Oval Office for one reason-to convince the American people that he won in 2020 and the attack on the Capitol was justified. He threatens to ruin anyone who says otherwise and ruin anyone who investigated him.

[@dentatusdentatus1592]

What a 🍕💩 indeed.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, I guess too would have rather had Ms. Word Salad Harris up there with her cackling and grinnin trying to talk. She might have been able to pull it off if there was a teleprompter in front of her. She had no empathy for anyone

[@danmarino711]

Stop playing, pointing your finger games and lies orange idiot felony along your whole entire unqualify weirdos administration. Do your job right without endangering and creating more sufferings for innocent American lives or get out. America is sick and tired of your BS. The military has no business in training its rotary or fixed wing aircraft around any designated commercial airport, especially around a busy civilian airport. The commander that ordered such training must be prosecuted. They must stop their senseless stupidity.

[@itsmeGeorgina]

​@@sassegranny4700 actually, yes, we would rather have Kamala Harris handling this situation, Trump is a maniac, Harris at least knows how to act with dignity

[@caroleblackburn9683]

Despicable.

[@sassegranny4700]

How would you have handled this situation? And how would you greet the parents who lost their children? And better yet how would you tell the parents of the Russian Children their babies are gone. How would you have explained to Putin what happened?

[@oldbari2604]

Only qualified people? Maybe only qualified people should be allowed to hold the position of President of the United States.

[@lauracarstiou3505]

Amen

[@margo3367]

We’ve got a felon in the WH and he won the popular vote.

[@petergaskin1811]

That makes the Tangerine Toddler the ultimate DEI hire...

[@danmarino711]

​@@petergaskin1811 Yep the orange felony goon with zero ethics is America's best new DEI hire by selfish billionares and big corporations in America that they have just bought to do their bidding to destroy America for their personal gains with tax breaks and government endless subsidies by tax payers.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Ah but Agolf Twittler doesnt count

[@danielwnorowski2553]

Seems like an irresponsible racist political comment... and no surprise

[@Machia52612]

Not racist at all, but very stupid.

[@geraldgouveia2876]

Are you surprised.Bet he could not do that job.He looks for a racial angle in everything.Remember his "black jobs" remarks or his "my beautiful white skin"which he paints.

[@lindaj5492]

I’m expecting him to claim that the helicopter pilot was an immigrant.

[@TITOFROG1]

He forgot to mention and blame those illegal migrants for the plane crash.

[@garyowen3662]

DJT is pure evil, a bully, a racist and habitual scapegoater. And a liar....

[@sushibar777]

He's just getting started. His first term went from clown show to shit show to failed coup attempt. This time will be worse, much worse.

[@marydiaz418]

It s all reality t v now!

[@sassegranny4700]

So do as some others did that left California. LEAVE. I heard Switzerland is a wonderful place to live.

[@leahartlee29]

@@sassegranny4700 It isn't that easy, DA. Just WAIT until it effects YOU!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@sassegranny4700 It must be -- they wouldn't let *you* in!!!

[@rwhclo]

​@@sassegranny4700Found the troll.

[@medygantz8855]

I have family in the air right now. I dare T scare them! Where is his empathy. He is truly without heart! Not my President.

[@grayisgood]

Trump is literally incapable of empathy. I'm not saying that to be mean. I'm not lying. He is an extreme malignant narcissist and cannot feel empathy. He also creates a false reality for himself and those willing to believe, which for reasons I can't begin to understand, millions of americans do. So this is his first false reality about this incident.

[@Taskerofpuppets]

He’s no ones President

[@Bluespower1792]

Not my president should be on a t-shirt.

[@geofredogirasol4457]

He does not have the capacity for empathy.

[@stoneneils]

@@geofredogirasol4457 They don't get it lol. It isn't easy to accept I suppose unless you've bee burned by one, esp in your family.

[@Kris-v7g]

Jan 20th: FAA Director was fired. Jan 21st: Air traffic controller hiring frozen. Jan 22nd: Aviation safety advisory committee disbanded. Jan 28th: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees. Jan 29th: First American midair collision in 16 years. Sad times.

[@nelsonsailor7524]

As much as I hate the orange bastard you should maybe refrain from posting this as according to fact checkers this is not all factually correct. Just leave the experts to do their job and dont give the magats fuel for their fires

[@jjiXIJiosajxj9isjx9]

Thanks for the reality check!

[@lj5585]

All this per Elon Musk"s demands who already owes $633,000 for Space X's violation of safety rules. The rocket that blew up 2 weeks ago cause 12 US flights to be emergently diverted and flights from other countries going out over Indian Ocean had to be delayed for the rest of the debris to fall there. - Oligarchs get what they want - the people get shite.

[@sleo6664]

Wow.

[@sassegranny4700]

Wait, 16 years? When was there a mid-air collision here in the US in the last 16 years? The last one there at National/Reghan Airport was in January 1982. That was 43 years ago.

[@grahamdrew5512]

Trump's policy??? Blame, Defame, Deny, Lie, never take any responsibility ever. There is not an ounce of empathy in him.

[@BennieMousse1]

tRump is profoundly stupid.

[@Starlightning767]

Nor TRUTH!

[@lauracarstiou3505]

Or decency

[@boston_octopus_442]

We all saw the evil eye he gave to the pastor. Not an ounce of empathy.

[@sleo6664]

Wow. I think that was a line from that movie.

[@SoulPowered]

He doesn't put the safety of police officers first, that's for damn sure.

[@alanhart2745]

Trumpy is one sick Individual !

[@dentatusdentatus1592]

And yet we voted for him...... twice.

Speak for yourself. I am NOT included in your "WE".

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, so you think Ms. Word Salad, who didn't stand for anything would have done better in this situation do you?

[@alanhart2745]

@@sassegranny4700 Yes, WE DO !

[@alanhart2745]

@@dentatusdentatus1592 NO, WE DIDN'T !

[@JudeyCat]

His comments were incredibly disturbing an insensitive.

[@MeloniousThunk]

I agree. He implies without any evidence that a person with “intellectual and psychological disabilities” (a “DEI hire”) caused this accident. That is inaccurate, and it’s morally and ethically reprehensible to make such a baseless and dangerous claim. Demonizing the disabled is EUGENICS.

[@lararupp7112]

Per usual!

[@rondas7772]

And he was using profanity, he's ridiculous

[@renukaviswanathan454]

He has no sense and is not sensitive about anyone’s feelings.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, so you think Ms. Word Salad would have done better with her Cacklin hyena voice? Give a rest.

[@karmadave]

Really America? This moron is the best person we could choose for the highest office in the land? Trump complains about DEI yet he is THE most unqualified person ever to hold the office. WTF is wrong with America? 😢

[@CuriouslyMindful]

Yes, just what the F*** is wrong? It’s FRIGHTENING.

[@sassegranny4700]

people like you. That's what's wrong. You should have voted for Obama.

[@itsmeGeorgina]

We could have had Kamala up at that podium right now, acting like a real President through crisis

[@carolelarochelle9854]

I, AND BASICALLY ALL THE CANADIANS ARE ASKING THEMSELVES THE DAMN SAME QUESTION...

[@leahartlee29]

Trump had the election rigged by Musk who took voters in every swing state off of the voter rolls, (voter suppression) and when they were notified by their state and had to use a provisional ballot, they weren't counted. To the tune of over 4 million votes. NO WAY Kamala lost this election, there was so much momentum on her side. That is why trump said we don't need your votes. He didn't! He needs to be removed.

[@sailorinfl]

It's always something "that nobody has ever seen before" with Trump. He can only repeat the same exaggeration and insults, he can't even come up with anything new.

[@boston_octopus_442]

He sounds like an old man, repeating what old men said when he was young. Or a carnival barker.

[@fuzzfacelogic789]

Trump's common sense!? Nobody's ever seen anything like it before!

[@petergaskin1811]

No, you need to cut him some slack, he managed to use the word "ever" in its proper place.

[@sassegranny4700]

Yet he's president. A G A I N ❗

[@EmmaSnowden-n9d]

Only a few words in his vocabulary. This is who ya'll voted for. To late to talk about his stupidity now.

[@gloriouse4458]

🥀R.I.P. TO ALL THOSE THAT PERISHED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLISION 💔💜

[@keep-ukraine-free]

It will only get worst. My heart goes out for the families that lost loved ones. But the psychopath did much worse in his 1st term, and people didn't complain. He killed at least 100,000 Americans (more like 500,000) by his intentional hiding of facts and ignoring expert advice to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. HE DID IT. This time, on his 2nd day in office, he stopped the hiring of critical air traffic controllers. HE CONTRIBUTED TO ALL 67 DEATHS. He'll cause more deaths.

[@nomore6167]

I know it may sound crass, but look at the silver lining (for them) -- at least they don't have to live under the reign of King Trump.

[@tigq1430]

I've NEVER had the president of the U.S. have such hatred toward its own citizens.

[@grayisgood]

Which is why I don't understand how millions of americans support him. I think they are unbelievably stupid and self destructive and so filled with hatred that they would rather harm others than live a better life for themselves and their families and communities. Meanwhile democrats watch and do nothing, they handed us over to him. Democrats are not on our side. I have lost so much respect for humanity.

[@Taskerofpuppets]

He DOES hate America and its people.

[@pureblood6310]

We lived through Biden !

[@bobf5360]

@@pureblood6310 incompetence isn't the same as hatred, 45/47 clearly hates most of the people of the US. Biden was just an old man lost on his way to the kitchen. 45/47 likes being cruel and is aware enough to know he is doing it, Biden was just a dotard. The difference is intent.

[@Fuzzeej71]

I think all the comments are deranged. Rumper room is a hateful monster.

[@ElyseLucile]

I always value Miles O' Brien's input. Over the years, he brings experience and clarity in discussing horrific events like this one, when so many others are running around in circles, freaking out, and baselessly stoking racism. Thank you!

[@ziddi2603]

Sadly, Nothing trump says anymore evens phases me and unfortunately i think this is true for a large number of people (in America). He truly is a disgusting human being with no filter, conscious, empathy, feelings....

[@marydiaz418]

A large number voted for him. Not me neither time. I keep asking myself how the heck did anyone vote for this idiot? I guess idiots.

[@55flameon]

That was my feeling at the start of his 2nd term. I am disgusted beyond words now.

[@CoffinPrick]

I agree. It’s wild how normalized this has all become. It’s intentional on their end, textbook subversion. People have been so worn down by it all. The majority of people have somehow just accepted that this is the sort of thing our president/government will say or do. Attack private citizens, decimate freedoms, cripple the economy, use tragedies to bolster himself. This is very not normal, very dangerous…and it’s going to take a lifetime to undo, if ever. It’s so sad to watch all of this unfold.

[@lenroddis5933]

It should 'phase' you otherwise he achieves his objective of normalising lies and disinformation.

[@lauren5668]

@@ziddi2603 It will always phase me. If I become numb to his crap, the world loses another dissenting voice, another resistor

[@dianewhalen9721]

He is the most malevolent human on the planet.He is just despicable ❤️🇨🇦

[@mjmwise]

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. The families deserve a legimate investigation before the president cruelly and ignorantly speculates about the collision. Blaming DEI initiatives with no evidence makes no sense!

[@gogreen7794]

And what kind of evidence would there be? Trump just looks at someone and decides if they are qualified or not. It helps if he sees them on TV and/or they swear eternal loyalty.

[@rekhadedhia9802]

What about milliary. Milliary is not DEI???

[@leslieread556]

I bet their families are appalled at how Trump responded. What a sad pathetic human. No empathy or compassion whatsoever.

[@CuriouslyMindful]

Not just the families. I hope we’re all appalled?

[@mhuffman6282]

He will be meeting with some of those families.

[@nomore6167]

"I bet their families are appalled at how Trump responded" - I guarantee the political viewpoints of the surviving family members determines whether or not they are appalled at how Trump responded. If they are Republicans, then they would accept his word as gospel, agree with him, and repeat it ad nauseam.

[@stananderson4524]

And people voted for that?

[@markg3380]

Exactly. I am dumbfounded, and we are only at the very beginning. Sad. Oh, and the price of eggs is higher, dummies.

[@staceycrawford4477]

No, America did not vote for him. The election was rigged and purchased by Elon Musk!

[@bryanchambers9728]

47%

[@petyrkowalski9887]

@@bryanchambers972833% of the eligible voters.

[@nomore6167]

"And people voted for that?" - Yes, everyone knew that was exactly what they would be getting, and 77 million people decided that's what they wanted (and I guarantee they're salivating for more).

[@stoneneils]

Are Americans seeing what a psychopath is yet..or do we still need to explain it.

[@marychan4625]

Not many Americans see that, i am afraid.

[@cindyrehder1164]

He thinks he is above God. Look at the Bible he had printed in China. Has the Constitution, Declaration of Independence etc. Lee Greenwood song proud to be an American. And front cover says The year God intervened..Donald J Trump 2024. He is evil

[@StephenFlynn-xl2fw]

You can't fix stupid.

[@ajvintage9579]

We all see it, but our Congress is failing to act or impeach.

[@sleo6664]

I think it should be explained in Clear terms regularly on All media outlets. People need help & 1st to be diagnosed. Intervention needs to occur during early adolescent development...I think the earlier , the better. People have made comments about Tech bros. lack of empathy, certain callousness, profit over people focus... sometimes growing up as the "not cool" nerd can influence personality traits. It starts with the Parents and the person has to decide to get help once an adult, but this rarely happens in a soxiety where companies Reward people with various disorders.

[@shirleyashanti3031]

Excuse me. He froze hiring of air traffic controllers one day after taking office.

[@sassegranny4700]

So did Reghan when he was president. And they named that airport after him. resonate with that one.

[@George-ni5ic]

@@sassegranny4700Reagan (check spelling or we’ll think you’re a Russian troll) actually fired air traffic controllers. It set back air safety for a decade as the new ones were brought in and gained experience. The ATC and pilots’ union sure didn’t name DCA after the guy that said that government is the problem, a helluva thing for the head of the Department of Transportation (and FDA and military and 100 other things that keep the US population safe. I rather suspect that all controllers in the DCA tower throw up in the back of their throats on their way into work when they read the road signs with Nancy’s husband’s name on them.

[@barbaramonaco105]

​@@sassegranny4700It will always be Washington National to me.

[@pambroome5990]

What a disgusting liar. He’s a danger to us all.

[@PetraCombs-ie3tg]

Donald reduced FAA jobs, he is responsible.

[@danmarino711]

The orange maga idiot is America's best new DEI hire by America's greedy, dastardly billionaires and big corporations to destroy America by getting their tax breaks and endless subsidies at the expense of tax payers.

[@NotANameist]

There was a freeze 8 days ago. Give me a break.

[@V-ARY.prevEdward-L]

​@@NotANameistGive you a break? Buddy he froze the air traffic controller hiring process on day one of him being in office and then fired the FAA director, god damn dismantled the aviation safety committee and then did a buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees- Please for the love of God tell me you don't deny he signed those orders himself when we have video evidence of the god damn stuff I'm sorry but you're not "getting a break" for assuming DEI did this somehow and not Trump

[@InvisibleWarrior279]

Malignant narcissist gonna malignant narcissist. Seriously USA what is wrong with you??

[@justingray3456]

We have tens of millions of stupid people who drank the Trump Koolaid voting.

[@micheleconner5083]

Not all of us. Only about a third of the country. 34% of registered voters couldn't even be bothered to vote! Very sad commentary about this country.😢

[@jaybird5059]

What Trump rambled during his news conference is reprehensible. He has ZERO qualifications to make any comment on the subject matter since he has ZERO aviation background (asides from getting flown around). Been flying airliners for many years and flying before I was able to drive, and like other pilots, would hesitate in providing any conjectures without supporting facts. God speed to the investigators that will work tirelessly to piece together the sequence of events and prayers to the families of the passengers, pilots and helicopter crew whose lives were instantaneously cut short.

[@sassegranny4700]

A rah, new flash Mr, Pilot, you're late, the video is already out.

[@SiMonnas]

@@sassegranny4700 Thanks for not using salad, weed or baby in your response

[@jefferylorance7988]

Listen when a person speaks… …. A smart man can play dumb… But a dumb man cannot play smart..

[@sleo6664]

I agree with this statement... a dumb person can't "play" or pretend to be smart. It never comes across as they intend... better to be quite.

[@sassegranny4700]

Yes, they can.

[@BenHogg07212]

There is no one better to talk about aviation and space travel than Miles O’Brien.

[@sassegranny4700]

Good, maybe he should apply for FAA director.

[@sherrygraham4019]

HOLD TRUMP ACCOUNTABLE

[@lauren5668]

Resistance.

[@jgaffney567]

It up to his fellow politicians to do that but like most of society that just either let him do anything or point and say that is bad very bad look ....bad man and think that actually does something

[@lincolndachane1484]

8 days ago he fired 400 FAA personnel and dismissed 100's more Flight Control personnel. The failure was the military trainging protocol failed to have the ADSB Transponder turned "ON" for the training flight. When active, the transponder allows towers and other aircraft to identify the craft, altitude, speed and direction. Giving time to notify of possible collision course.

[@lauren5668]

@@jgaffney567 It is up to the people. We put all of those spineless people in office. Resistance.

[@sassegranny4700]

He was not flying a military chopper whose pilot should have been more aware. Clearly, attention to detail was not seen too period. Just feel some empathy for the parents and other family member who lost their loved ones. This is tragic.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

As a former fighter pilot, I can say that Sean Duffy is incorrect in stating that the crew of the Blackhawk would have been talking to the crew of the airliner. That's not how it works. Pilots/co-pilots of each aircraft are required to be in communication with air traffic control - *_not_* the pilots of other aircraft, as that would quickly become chaotic.

[@sassegranny4700]

There is a KZbin video out already that shows the whole of the communications and exactly what happened. A pilot put the video out before the whole world gets the whole incident 💩wrong. The Black Hawk flew right into the plane. This can be seen.

[@timpekarek9159]

I also heard that the military and commercial aircraft aren't even on the same band and could not possibly have been in direct contact with each other.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

That's correct,@@timpekarek9159 - when the military aircraft are speaking with each other (which is routine) or their own military air traffic control. The rest of the time, pilots only speak with air traffic control, except when broadcasting "in the clear" (for all to hear) on Guard (the emergency channel).

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Very interesting. Perhaps you'd care to share the link,@@sassegranny4700?

[@CAW-of3rt]

I can no longer listen to Trump’s press conferences anymore! His prevaricating is unprecedented and unacceptable! He’s shameless!

[@danmarino711]

The orange maga idiot is America's best new DEI hire by America's greedy, dastardly billionaires and big corporations to destroy America by getting their tax breaks and endless subsidies at the expense of tax payers.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, but the Word Salad lady, who didn't care about anything or anybody. Ms. Make weed legal and aborting a baby at the 9th month, would have been SO much better for America

[@SiMonnas]

@@sassegranny4700 This Granny has gotta be a bot. It's always salad, weed & babies with her.......

[@OmEvul1415]

​@@sassegranny4700 She's not the president! Elections are finished. Move on!

[@joycew7727]

@@sassegranny4700 Yeah make weed illegal! But this crap about anyone ‘wanting’ a 9th month abortion is sadly immensely uninformed - this happens in only the saddest of cases when doctors need to make a decision with families due to imminent death of mother or baby

[@prairiegalcanada]

Thank you Christiane and Miles. I appreciate you both for your experience and sensitivity. President Trump's comments were a disgrace. He is a disgrace.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, but the Word Salad lady, who didn't care about anything or anybody. Ms. Make weed legal and aborting a baby at the 9th month would have been SO much better for America

[@SiMonnas]

@@sassegranny4700 There goes Granny, off her trolley again - with babies & salads & weed. Whatsup with this bot ?

[@mariettatrapani291]

Stop Judging People Because It Is a Disgrace!

[@juligrlee556]

Miles is a wonderful example of what America should be.

[@margo3367]

Rational, empathetic. What we had in Joe Biden

[@rianmonnahan]

Finally an aviation specialist who knows what he is talkings about.

[@N2MyGroove]

The Military personnel were at an altitude inappropriate for the environment. Not DEI, not ATC….10000 percent on the Army

[@andrewalderman9489]

It is likely they mistook the plane they spotted and reported was another plane. Human error, nothing to do with diversity or quotas.

[@sleo6664]

Wow. Im sure the families will look forward to the findings of the investigation. 😢

[@sassegranny4700]

Thank you. Finally a person with sense on this forum.

[@jlorde8838]

@@sassegranny4700 DEI IS IN OUR MILITARY

[@nomore6167]

@@jlorde8838 "DEI IS IN OUR MILITARY" - Oh, you're right. It must be DEI. A heterosexual white male would never make a mistake that ends in disaster. Nope, never, not once. It has never happened in the history of the world.

[@Dee-r9w]

Didn't Trump fire the flight navigators, That's what cause them to collide.

[@Epistemologist1]

It’s never a one cause to any accident, but you are right, Trump contributed with a series of decisions he made including firings that lead to understaffing. In addition, the letter federal workers received couldn’t help since adding additional stress to already stressful job is a recipe for a disaster.

[@janetl9984]

Wait for NTSB.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

@@janetl9984 The NTSB does not look at political issues and staffing in regulatory/safety agencies, as contributory factors. They won't consider the role trump played. Thankfully, they focus on the accident specifics. But that doesn't mean other factors (and bad leaders) aren't at fault.

[@sassegranny4700]

The plane was hit by a Black Hawk Military Helicopter that should NOT have been in Commercial Airline air space. Pay attention.

[@Dee-r9w]

@sassegranny4700 That's why we need FFA who Trump force to leave they control the air ways.

[@jpurpleyou]

This is what frightens me about a Trump presidency-loyalty over competence in all federal agencies. I didn’t think a disaster like this would happen so soon (this may not be on Trump-but soon it will be). From now on I take the train to Vancouver to use that airport.

[@alcyone-rising]

oh its 1000% on dorito.

[@sassegranny4700]

You type like Word Salad talked.

[@karlaschmid8757]

Unfortunately if he is destroying the FAA and understaffing Air Traffic Controlllers, it won’t be safe to fly anywhere in this country.

[@SiMonnas]

@@sassegranny4700 Damn it. I thought we'd sorted this out. No more use of the words salad, weed or baby...

[@laurafout7638]

If it was my family i would sue Trump! What a ridiculous unfeeling president!

[@davemacmurchie6982]

Not in a federal court - SCOTUS said so.

[@sassegranny4700]

sue him for what?

[@cavaliermama56]

Always someone else’s fault. The buck stops at Trump.

[@andrewalderman9489]

Actually, it never stops at Trump, he passes it on to whoever he can blame.

[@vonkruel]

Whoever voted for this mess: this is _your_ government, and this is _your_ time. Enjoying yourselves?

[@Lcharlo-f8j]

They will make excuses for him. They may even applaud his ridiculous comments

[@CuriouslyMindful]

@@Lcharlo-f8jDisgustingly too likely.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, but the Word Salad lad,y who didn't care about anything or anybody. Ms. Make weed legal and aborting a baby at the 9th month would have been SO much better for America

[@vonkruel]

@@sassegranny4700 there you are. enjoy the chaos & cruelty. obviously Harris/Walz was unacceptable, so you had to vote for that criminal psychopath. Enjoy this time. It's yours.

[@SiMonnas]

@@sassegranny4700 I give up..... Come on Granny. Back on your tricycle & please stop with all the salad, weed & baby stuff. It really is getting tiresome & embarrassing now . Thanks.....

[@synnvelid7189]

he is horrible

[@paullanoue5228]

I once went to the FAA Crash and Rescue school in Lubbock Texas. All of the FAA people I interacted with were very professional. They clearly took their responsibilities seriously. I was impressed by their dedication.

[@sassegranny4700]

And your point in all this is What???

[@armchairguru1921]

Trump's blaming on DEI is beyond stupid. The aircrafts/towers needed competent pilots/controllers no matter where they came from or what the color of their skin.

[@mhuffman6282]

Not totally. Taking one aspect of the situation. He is looking at everything as well

[@soviet9366]

Seriously? What is wrong with American voters?

[@marydiaz418]

To much reality t v.

[@PAMELAPORTER-ci7mr]

Racism & misogyny

[@candywilson6908]

They are stupid.

[@sassegranny4700]

The voters are the popular vote. Trump ran away with that one. You mean what's wrong with the Electoral College? This election clearly was NOT stolen.

[@elizabetholsen1208]

Their lack of action is becoming more and more questionable! Trump seems to have free reign to abuse the constitution.

[@laurafout7638]

Theyre no longer in office Donnie. Just Stop! This is on you and Elonia!

[@TrustGodDaily]

Ridiculous! All the politicall blame is horrible and uncalled for just like the California wildfires , instead of supporting fellow Americans , he sows hate.

[@sassegranny4700]

Does your tail live in California? You have no idea what living with all the smoke did.

[@LivinginCentralNewJersey-ep4bq]

Christiane is right; For the next 4 years are we going to be hearing him and his rants, the blame game after each incident/tragedy in this country

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, but, making weed legal and aborting a baby at the 9th month would have been SO much better for America

[@bernicearaujo3922]

@@sassegranny4700Granny, please stop watching FOX!

[@donnawilliams1348]

Inserting themself into the investigation is what a narcissist does.

[@teresamorales6444]

If he has put safety first, then why is he in the White House threating people left and right. His policies are deplorable.

[@Lcharlo-f8j]

What policies? You mean his revenge lists

[@SandraCox-f1o]

We are seeing the lowest now with Trump

[@rebeccabutler9728]

No, trust me, he'll go lower. He always does.

[@davemacmurchie6982]

That's what I thought during ShitShow 1.0, but I was wrong.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, but the Word Salad Lady, who didn't care about anything or anybody. Ms. Make weed legal and aborting a baby at the 9th month would have been SO much better for America

[@nomore6167]

"We are seeing the lowest now with Trump" - There is no "lowest". It is a bottomless pit.

[@bernicearaujo3922]

@@sassegranny4700Granny, please stop watching FOX!

[@sheribee831]

How low can he go?! Despicable.

[@Nagarika248]

To think that an American president would react without compassion or empathy for fellow Americans who had just perished in a horrific crash tells us all we need to know about the content of this man's character. I really don't understand this level of indifference towards other human beings. Is this type of person we need as president now?

[@susannoesen6006]

Thankfully you tell the truth! FDT

[@chrismathis4162]

There can’t be a more despicable person on this planet than Trump.

[@nomore6167]

"There can’t be a more despicable person on this planet than Trump" - Elon Musk would like to have a word with you.

[@PDXMIA-q4h]

He is not well. It's time to implement Amendment 25. Let's help him get the help he needs. #amendment25

[@Kvlvt]

In 1989 a Trump Shuttle flight into Boston had the Wheels fall off,an apt metaphor for all things Trump 🛬

[@pamelamorgan7354]

Thank you for a sane report.

[@marydiaz418]

If I describe Trump I d get kicked off social media.

[@pamelamorgan7354]

@ I got banned on a site for responding to someone excited about Trump deporting Prince Harry. I feel your pain. ☺️

[@marigracemckay7244]

Happy to see Miles O! Grateful for his professional commentary.

[@patriciadodd9412]

Great to see Miles on TV again. Can't remember a plane disaster without Miles expertize.

[@hughdoyle7059]

As a European with 40 years in aviation behind me I am gobsmacked that military aircraft are allowed to fly toward a commercial aircraft on short finals. It is like giving a child a can of petrol and a box of matches. As regards Trumps comments, in Europe he would already be in jail.

[@signalfire6]

THIS IS WHAT A PSYCHOPATH TALKS LIKE.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

So true. This is only the beginning. It WILL get worse. MUCH WORSE. People already forgot his indirectly killing between 100,000-500,000 Americans, by hiding the dangers of COVID-19 & mishandling his govt's pandemic response.

[@sassegranny4700]

Yet, he's president. A G A I N💢

[@Phoenix-s2q]

Always respected Miles

[@bensonsaju2329]

Crazy all these opportunities coming out lately.. me and my friends are all in on Qardun now

[@Sumantanish]

Qardun ICO... 😂 this is going to pump even harder on launch than the other coins

[@millacolic]

I wonder what kind of effect his constant negative rhetoric going to have on the mental health of the nation as a whole.

[@ajvintage9579]

I have depression and anxiety and my symptoms have been through the roof in the last 10 days due to all this.

[@JackiKoren]

Listen to this, families of American Airlines and those from the helicopter of the US Black Hawks in D.C., on January 30th, 2025, the FAA wanted to fine Elon Mush $633, 000 for his alleged safety violations during 2 Florida launches (AP Sept. 17, 2024). After the General Election in November, it has been said, it was Mush who got involved and pushed the FAA Director out of office. There was no Director even since the time your family members were killed. I’d suggest for you to come together as one and sue Elon Musk for your lost, as he was protecting his space company.

[@sassegranny4700]

Oh, yeah right❗ This does what? You come here to start a 💩storm. Carry your tail to bed.

[@lindaj5492]

Really important advice from professionals to the public after any major fatal accident is “do not speculate, fearmonger, or spread gossip. Stick to VERIFIABLE FACTS.” T’s politicising attack on FAA is disgraceful and disrespectful to the bereaved. He has no shame.

[@lizziebrown4505]

Why you keep talking about Obama or Biden , its your turn.

[@margo3367]

God help us.

[@candywilson6908]

He also denigrated Pete Buttigieg the former Secretary of Transportation, as if he could have had anything whatsoever to do with it.

[@brianhill5009]

There must be more and more Trump voters who wish they could retract their vote for him.

[@marydiaz418]

I doubt that. They are just as stupid as he is and buy into his reality b s

[@SueFerreira75]

To vote for Trump after knowing who he is for over 10 years requires taking no notice of politics, not understanding anything or admiring the evil Trump. It's too late now to regret your vote. Elections have consequences.

[@margo3367]

Nah. You must be an optimist.

[@DaniHMcV]

Did you know that rhere are people who actually enjoy rolling in shit? Their own or others, doesn’t really matter. Some people are not onbthe same bandwidth as most people. Just like Trump voters. They voted, knowing it would make things tougher but fully aware that another Trump presidency would be an absolute nightmare for Democrats. That’s why they voted for him. To spite the other side, that is all. That is how deep their hatred for others is.

[@theelmonk]

There's no fix for stupid

[@HoursaDay]

I can't take another 4 years of this.

[@wwjoesr]

Always love seeing Miles!

[@gm7304]

He did a thumbs up at at the Arlington cemetery what did you expect?

[@Ffgamerdevaraj999]

Mainstream media is going to cry about this Qardun coin so hard soon

[@grayisgood]

There is data. I just watched a video explaining briefly with what's currently known on a youtube channel called pilot debrief. There is audio of the plane, helicopter, and tower communications. The military helicopter asked for and received permission to visually avoid the airplane, thus accepting responsibility to not hit them. Fact. Sure there will be more surrounding info but that fact will not change.

[@benediktamrhein5639]

What the fuck are you talking about?

[@sassegranny4700]

You viewed one KZbin I viewed another that shows the Black Hawk plow right into the Airplane. Actual Air footage. Take by a pilot who got footage of what happened. I just happened upon it.

[@grayisgood]

@@sassegranny4700 My video has the video too, but it includes a pilot describing the audio. The helicopter plowed into the plane, after asking for and receiving responsibility to visually avoid it. Absolutely the helicopter is at fault. There may be more info that better explains why from the investigation. I told you the youtube channel so you can see it for yourself if you want to.

[@JQ-peace]

This was really low of Trump.

[@Taskerofpuppets]

Why was a military exercise going on around the landing or takeoff zone coinciding? Why are they even remotely close to one another? Live exercises in the trajectory of commercial flights makes no sense. Poor families and the people who have suffered this egregious error.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

@Taskerofpuppets You ask valid questions, but you don't understand the environment. First, it was not a "live military exercise". It was a recertification check-flight (the military pilot was being checked, to renew his/her flying credentials). So it was not a "training" flight as media misreported. Also, the DC area is one of the most complex air corridors in the world. It has (and MUST have) military flights (to protect our government from air threats). So it needs both civilian and military flights, in close proximity. The flight airspace is very well defined, and coordinated by civilian and military. However, the Black Hawk pilot made a tragic mistake that cost lives. The air traffic controller told the military pilot of the commercial flight, and asked them to reply that they saw them .The military pilot answered that they saw the airliner, but then flew straight in front of that airliner - which tells us they saw "something else" (they became unaware of the situation around them, and so focused on another airliner instead of this small airliner directly in front of them). It's known as "loss of situational awareness".

[@sassegranny4700]

THANK YOU❗I Have been wondering that same thing since I heard the news.

[@keep-ukraine-free]

@Taskerofpuppets You clearly don't understand. The Black Hawk was not on a "military live exercise". The military pilot was experienced, and was on a recertification flight to recertify their flight credentials. The DC airspace is a high-traffic area with overlapping military and civilian airspaces. Such military flights occur dozens of times per day in that area, without incident. The Black Hawk pilot made several errors, including flying above the allowed ceiling, causing thair aircraft to laterally enter the landing cone of the AA airliner which was on its final glide slope. Critical error/s by the helicopter pilot.

[@paulaoh5306]

I'm sorry, but in the words of John Prine, "Some humans ain't human." You know who I'm talking about.

[@sassegranny4700]

When you point a finger at someone, 4 fingers are pointing back at you. Try it.

[@paulaoh5306]

@sassegranny4700 How clever. 😃 Why not just be honest with yourself and everyone else here and admit that Trump said the wrong thing and lacked empathy. If Biden or any Democrat had politicized the tragedy in that way, you would attack them. Your morals and values should not be based on your political party. They should be based on your integrity and decency as a person.

[@bernicearaujo3922]

@@sassegranny4700Granny, DonOld pointed the finger when he took the podium. Didn’t you hear what he said? Everyone’s fault put his! Stop watching FOX!

[@paulaoh5306]

@sassegranny4700 I'm not the president. I'm not the one with the power and the responsibility to behave appropriately. I don't have people's lives in my hands the way that Trump does.

[@carolynknott2054]

So well-stated. Thank you

[@mangographics225]

Trump is Shameful today ... Disgusting!!

[@737Parkie]

Nothing to do with DEI….Understaffed control tower.

[@sassegranny4700]

No, why was a Black Hawk military helicopter doing in commercial airspace? No one to hold accoutable. Dead men tell no tales. The Military doesn't have to much of anything if they see fit not to. All they know is however many millions of dollars worth of military aircraft fell into the Potomac River. All on board dead. And dead men tell no tales.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

I am not an American, but I am fascinated by the current bizarre situation in America. I can see that it will not be long before the White House calls Amanpour and Company to change their tune and never criticise anything the president says or does, or else!

[@jerrylives2278]

He insults and marginalizes some group or other every time he opens his mouth

[@Bearbok]

Trump is such a terrible person. Just pure bad.

[@elizabethhenning778]

This was the fault of the military helicopter. Why hasn't our new secdef made a statement yet?

[@keep-ukraine-free]

Maybe he's scared to talk, fearing he'll get fired? Or he's passed-out drunk?

[@jlorde8838]

​@@keep-ukraine-freeHE SPOKE

[@karlaschmid8757]

How do you know, it could have been Air Traffic Control? What are your qualifications?

[@jlorde8838]

@@karlaschmid8757 exactly what Trump said.

[@karlaschmid8757]

@ It could have been anything, which is why it was ridiculous for him to offer explanation or conjecture till the accident has been investigated.

[@glennadamson9576]

If it smells like crap it is crap,as is his explanation and blame for this incident, if his sycophants are in charge of the air traffic control system the airlines are going to suffer and its employees, the most people hired under the DEI are white women, not non-white individuals, but also no empathy for the victims of the crash is just disrespectful and ignorant. Our deepest condolences to all families and friends of the victims in this horrible situation.

[@deborahpitcher7723]

Just shut up just once could you tell the truth you know nothing but you just have to blame it on somebody but you

[@4NickAder]

its being reported the Military Helicopter was delivering a Bucket of KFC to the Whitehouse

[@Cmunic8]

That’s just wrong…it’s too early….😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FamilieSiglWirtz]

Mister Trump has totally lost the track

[@ColinStewart-km9dw]

Outstanding discussion.

[@Taylor-kd6lr]

Trump and Musk should be sued for this by the families. They are responsible.