Following the crash of a Delta airliner in Toronto, CNN and The View wasted no time in attempting to connect the incident to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the federal government’s efficiency initiatives.
The Delta flight, which crashed and flipped upside down upon landing, resulted in 21 injuries but miraculously no fatalities.
While authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, some media outlets have already drawn their own conclusions.
CNN aired a segment suggesting that Trump’s policies aimed at reducing the size of the federal government could be responsible for the crash.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
The network linked the event to broader concerns about aviation safety under deregulation efforts.
The Biden administration has previously criticized Trump-era policies that sought to streamline federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Here is CNN’s Dana Bash implying the Toronto plane crash is somehow President Trump’s fault.
These people are truly sick. pic.twitter.com/RDfYU07nFH — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 18, 2025
However, there is no evidence at this time connecting Trump’s past policies to the Delta crash.
Meanwhile, hosts on The View took the conversation even further, bringing up both Trump and Musk while discussing the crash.
FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest
The panel suggested that efforts to make the government more efficient—including changes within the FAA—could have contributed to safety risks.
The discussion also referenced recent changes in air traffic controller hiring policies under the Biden-Harris administration.
The View's Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin blame the recent plane crashes, including Monday's crash in Toronto, on Elon Musk and DOGE. pic.twitter.com/9djwigWOEc
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 18, 2025
The administration has pushed diversity and inclusion efforts in hiring, including for FAA roles.
Critics have raised concerns that these policies prioritize identity-based hiring over merit-based qualifications.
MORE NEWS: Tulsi Gabbard Says Declassified Biolab Records Prove Biden Team Misled the Public [WATCH]
The FAA’s hiring practices have been a topic of debate in recent years.
The Biden-Harris administration has faced criticism for efforts to expand hiring criteria to include individuals with cognitive disabilities and mental health conditions.
Current job listing for an air traffic controller on the FAA's website is open to people with disabilities including psychiatric & intellectual delays.
Doesn't it make you feel safe knowing your air traffic controller can have an intellectual disability or have a seizure while… pic.twitter.com/7H8QXQ39WR — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 6, 2024
Some argue that these policies could impact safety and efficiency in air traffic control towers, a field that requires high levels of focus and precision.
While the investigation into the Delta crash remains ongoing, the quick push by media outlets to connect the incident to Trump, Musk, and government efficiency efforts has raised eyebrows.
NEW: New footage shows passengers walking on the ceiling to escape the Delta jet that crashed in Toronto, Canada. "Don't take a video. Put that phone away," a flight attendant could be heard saying. Here is what we know so far: - 15 people including a child were injured, at… pic.twitter.com/7FHt16WP2Q
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 17, 2025
As officials work to determine the actual cause of the crash, the political blame game has already begun.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.