Trump's comments came just after a plane crash that killed several, including notable figures. He pointed fingers at past Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hiring practices under the Biden and Obama administrations, despite having no solid evidence connecting them to the incident. His remarks have provoked backlash from political rivals and aviation officials, further igniting ongoing debates about diversity in federal hiring.

Facing questions about this assertion, Trump stood firm, invoking "common sense" as his reasoning and mentioning various disability categories the FAA had reportedly considered in its recruitment efforts. While acknowledging that investigations are still ongoing, he stated, "It's all under investigation." Critics, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, called out Trump's remarks as irresponsible, underscoring the need for decorum in the face of national tragedies.