This was a terrible tragedy.
Former President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow and concern following the tragic crash of a jet carrying six individuals in northeast Philadelphia on Friday night. The plane, which was reportedly on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, crashed near Roosevelt Mall, causing a massive explosion and leaving the local community in shock.
Trump took to Truth Social to offer his condolences. “So sad to see the plane go down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote. “Another tragic loss of innocent lives. Our first responders are on the scene, doing a great job, and we’re hoping for more details soon. God bless you all.”
This crash comes just days after another close call in the skies: a midair collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which claimed the lives of all 67 people involved. Trump wasted no time in directing his criticism at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which he believes has shifted its focus too much toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, possibly to the detriment of safety. He suggested that these priorities could be influencing the agency’s ability to focus on core safety measures.
The FAA confirmed that the jet, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was carrying four crew members, one pediatric patient, and an escort. The young girl, who was reportedly returning to Mexico after receiving medical treatment in the U.S. for a life-threatening illness, was among the victims. Officials have not confirmed any survivors, and names will not be released until family members have been notified.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker issued a statement expressing her condolences and urging people to stay clear of the crash site. “We don’t have details on the number of fatalities yet, but our thoughts are with the families of those involved,” she said. “We ask that everyone avoid the area to allow first responders to do their work.”
Governor Josh Shapiro also reached out, offering state resources to assist with the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts. “We are closely monitoring the situation and providing whatever support is needed to local officials,” Shapiro said.
The incident has sparked serious questions about the FAA’s focus, with many conservatives wondering if the agency’s emphasis on social issues has distracted from its primary mission of safeguarding American skies. As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, these concerns are likely to grow louder.