Yesterday, 07:32 AM
Trump started his White House briefing on a midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington with a traditional presidential tone and a moment of silence in what he called an "hour of anguish for a nation."
But he quickly pivoted to blame - and culture war politics.
He blamed the helicopter pilots for the crash that killed 67 people. He blamed night-vision goggles. He talked about landing tracks and altitudes.
"We have some very strong opinions," Trump announced.
Above all, the 78-year-old Republican blamed the crash on diversity hires, in an astonishing attack on his Democratic predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
"Because I have common sense, OK? " Trump replied when asked how he had concluded that programmes to counter racism and sexism had played a role.
But the underlying message as Trump took the podium, flanked by a parade of tribute-paying officials, was that he had the situation under control - and the crash wasn't his administration's fault.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/washing...LO6GU5JGI/
But he quickly pivoted to blame - and culture war politics.
He blamed the helicopter pilots for the crash that killed 67 people. He blamed night-vision goggles. He talked about landing tracks and altitudes.
"We have some very strong opinions," Trump announced.
Above all, the 78-year-old Republican blamed the crash on diversity hires, in an astonishing attack on his Democratic predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
"Because I have common sense, OK? " Trump replied when asked how he had concluded that programmes to counter racism and sexism had played a role.
But the underlying message as Trump took the podium, flanked by a parade of tribute-paying officials, was that he had the situation under control - and the crash wasn't his administration's fault.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/washing...LO6GU5JGI/