While Planes Crash, President Trump’s Rhetoric Hits an All-Time Low

This year, there have already been at least 15 fatal crashes, crossing around 87 deaths from all of them together.

Theories have swirled about, ranging from those based in fact, like a national air traffic controller shortage, which could have an impact; and, conspiracy theories which involve President Trump saying that the role of ATCs (Air Traffic Controllers) has been filled specifically by people with intellectual, vision, and physical impairments and disabilities. This has been pushed back on by many advocates, journalists, and public service members.

While Trump has made many comments like these before, he has never said it about a whole occupation. This can and likely has made people apprehensive to fly. I want you to remember who made sure that the ATCs were understaffed and denigrated the next time you watch a plane crash on the news.

As someone who has been diagnosed with physical, intellectual, and visual disabilities, it honestly makes me sit back and laugh that someone could see this as a dig or insult. In my eyes, Trump is someone who could never do this type of job. To be honest, I could never work as an Air Traffic Controller either, but it’s not because of my disabilities.

Does he think the government just goes out and actively recruits people by their ability? In today’s world we would still be denied these types of jobs, but that’s a rant for another day.

It is important to note though, next time you fly, you will be safe. These crashes are freak accidents, and while the cause still isn’t 100% certain, it is most certainly not because of any conspiracy the President, or any other politician, is trying to push.