Donald Trump Suggests DEI Hiring Caused D.C. Crash
Published |
Updated
9:58 AM PT — After President Trump personally called out Biden Admin Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a press conference about Wednesday night’s D.C. flight catastrophe, Buttigieg responded on X, noting some crucial details and prodding the president to “show actual leadership.”
Donald Trump says diversity, equity and inclusion hiring “could have been” to blame for the crash that killed 67 people over Washington, D.C. Wednesday … and, he’s placing the blame squarely on Democrats playing politics.
The 47th President of the United States addressed the assembled press corps Thursday morning in the White House’s briefing room … and, while he started with a prepared statement about the tragedy, he quickly went off the rails and started pointing to the FAA’s hiring policies as the reason … even as the incident is still early in its investigation.
As we told you, extremely tense audio reveals air traffic controllers warned the U.S. Army helicopter that fatally crashed into an American Airlines passenger plane moments before the catastrophe.
But the president claims the FAA is hiring people with disabilities who shouldn’t be in the roles … ’cause he says that only the best of the best should be air traffic controllers. As for why he believes DEI is to blame, the president said “I have common sense … other people don’t.”
Trump says his administration does not yet know what caused the tragedy … but then adds he will present some opinions, including one where he straight-up calls out Joe Biden‘s Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for having “a good line of bulls***.”
Sean Duffy— Trump’s new Secretary of Transportation — followed the political talking points … bashing diversity hiring and claiming his department won’t accept excuses for this tragedy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeated much of the same. Vice President JD Vance also took the podium to reiterate similar points.
As you know … a passenger plane carrying 64 people — including multiple U.S. figure skaters — collided with a military helicopter with 3 troops onboard late Wednesday night — exploding above the Potomac River in the nation’s capital.
Despite the length of the White House press conference, officials still have not said exactly what caused the crash.
D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly says the department doesn’t believe any of the passengers on the plane or the military personnel in the Black Hawk helicopter survived. Trump confirmed there were no survivors in his briefing.
Trump has already posted to social media about the crash … placing the blame on the helicopter and air traffic control for the crash — adding the plane was on a routine approach at the airport when the chopper hit it. He repeated these claims during the press conference.
Duffy — who was confirmed by the Senate this week — has already said both aircrafts were on a normal flight path and visibility was clear, and stated the tragedy was “absolutely preventable.”
Comedian Ken Flores Oxygen Tanks Found in Home Trying to Lose Weight, Get Healthy Before Heart Attack
Published
We’re learning more about the sudden death of comedian Ken Flores, who died at age 28 in his L.A. home Wednesday … he had been dealing with heart issues, and tragically, he had been actively trying to get healthy before he died.
Law enforcement and sources close to Flores tell TMZ … Ken had been suffering from congestive heart failure for a long time, and had been in and out of hospitals over the last two years.
Ken had been losing weight and trying to get healthy … but we’re told he had been using oxygen — and oxygen tanks were found in his residence yesterday.
With congestive heart failure, pumping blood through the body can’t keep up with the need — and blood eventually backs up, with fluid accumulating in the arms, legs and lungs.
As we told you … one of Ken’s friends found him in his home after he experienced cardiac arrest and called 911, performing CPR on him until paramedics arrived. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No drugs were found and no foul play is suspected, sources tell us.
Ken’s family shared the news of his death online, asking for privacy. Ken had just started a comedy tour earlier this month.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has completed the autopsy and will now wait for the toxicology test to come back in order to release the cause and manner of Flores’ death.
Stassie Karanikolaou … Total Beach Babe In Sizzlin’ Snaps!!!
Published
Stassie Karanikolaou is making the most of her getaway to the Turks and Caicos Islands … putting her fit frame on display in a number of skin-showing looks, perfect for the tropical weather.
Check it out … Kylie Jenner‘s best friend dons a number of sultry swimsuits, including one black 2-piece which left little to the imagination. The bikini in question is a classic microkini and allows the itty-bitty straps of her bottoms to sit high on her hip bone … in turn, making the Turks and Caicos heat even hotter!!!
Stassie brings a similar provocative aesthetic off the beach … just take a look at the revealing white halter top she’s rocking in this pic from her vacation. The back is nearly fully exposed, showing off Stassie’s sun-kissed skin in the process.
Here’s hoping she’s loaded up on her SPF!!!
Then there’s her pretty in pink athleisure wear, the perfect, lightweight look for sightseeing around the British Overseas Territory.
Of course, Stassie isn’t the first celebrity to make Turks and Caicos her playground … as everyone from Lizzo to Kristin Cavallari has stopped by the tropical locale.
For a closer look at Stassie’s getaway, or other islands’ A-list visitors, check out our galleries above!!!
Travis Barker Will Join Jelly Roll Onstage for Set … At FireAid Benefit Concert!!!
Published
Famed drummer Travis Barker will take the stage to surprise concertgoers at tonight’s FireAid concert to help raise money for victims of the L.A. wildfires … TMZ has learned.
Sources connected to Blink 182 tell TMZ … in a surprise appearance, Travis will play drums during Jelly Roll‘s set at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
We’re told … Blink was one of the first bands to volunteer to participate in the benefit concert, but the group had to pull out because of an issue with one of its members.
But have no fear … Blink 182 has already announced their own fire relief concert at the Hollywood Palladium, which is slated for Feb 13.
For tonight’s show, some of the most famous names in music will perform at 2 venues –the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum, also in Inglewood.
Jelly Roll is also holding his own special show this weekend, with unnamed “friends” … as we told you yesterday, he’s set to perform Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, specifically for first responders and their families, no general admission. It’s not a fundraiser — it’s to thank all the first responders who’ve worked tirelessly to battle the deadly wildfires.