31 January 2025 , 09:43
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The US President appeared to be stepping on the toes of Washington DC first responders early this morning when he made a series of bizarre claims following the plane crash
Donald Trump has whipped up conspiracy theories about the Washington DC plane crash as rescuers combing the scene of the shock incident mount a desperate search for survivors.
The President took to social media after an American Airlines plane carrying 60 people collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter carrying three soldiers at the Reagan National Airport around 9pm local time (3am GMT). Local officials are yet to reveal whether anyone has died or survived, with emergency responders combing through wreckage that landed in the nearby Potomac river in "very dark and cold conditions".
Mr Trump initially responded with a standard statement informing the public he had been "fully briefed", and thanking emergency services for their swift work. But he has since fanned the flames of conspiracy in a post on his personal account asking why the plane, which he claimed was "on a perfect and routine line of approach", crashed with the helicopter.
Taking to Truth Social, the Commander-in-Chief claimed the American Airlines plane was "blazing" its lights as it came into land. He wrote: "The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing."
Mr Trump then asked why the helicopter "didn’t go up or down", and questioned the part air traffic controllers may have had to play in the in the "bad situation". He said: "Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn. Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
It is not yet clear if anyone survived ( Image: AP)
The President’s comments differ vastly from those from local officials overseeing rescue efforts, with first responders currently unable to confirm several major details surrounding the incident. DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said that while boats quickly found aircraft wreckage, it is not yet possible to confirm whether there are any survivors.
The official said his team would be able to re-evaluate his position and provide further details only when emergency workers have had time to search the wreckage. He pledged: "We will re-evaluate where we are with a rescue operation in the morning, when we get a better sense of it."