Fox News co-host Jessica Tarlov critiqued President Donald Trump’s attempts to link diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to a fatal aircraft collision in Washington, D.C. She underscored the inconsistencies in his allegations and pointed out the diversity programs of his administration.
On the January 31 episode of “The Five,” Tarlov agreed that Trump’s initial scripted comments were fitting, but she took issue with his subsequent impromptu remarks. “He essentially turned a solemn occasion into a campaign rally,” she stated.
She also referenced an assessment by CNN aviation reporter Pete Muntean, citing his words, “What he said was not only unprofessional, unpresidential, inconsiderate of the status of the investigation, but it’s frankly unhinged.”
On January 31, 2025, an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, resulting in 67 deaths. This tragic event marked the deadliest U.S. air crash in over 20 years.
The Embraer E175 aircraft, which was carrying passengers like young figure skaters, their coaches, relatives, a civil rights attorney, and two Chinese nationals, collided with the military helicopter over the Potomac River around 7:15 p.m. EST.
Harsh weather conditions challenged recovery efforts. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has retrieved the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, both critical to identifying the cause of the collision.
The day before the crash, another incident raised questions about safety measures in the complex airspace. A jet heading towards the Reagan National Airport had to abort its landing because a helicopter was in its flight path. This sparked a call for greater altitude separation between low-flying aircraft and helicopters.
Tarlov noted that the DEI policies Trump criticized were implemented in 2013 and pointed out, “He had every opportunity through his first administration to revoke them if he thought they were terrible, but he didn’t.” She also emphasized that Trump himself started a diversity program for air traffic controllers in 2019, contradicting his current position.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clarified that DEI policies do not apply to air traffic controller hiring, and no preferential treatment is given based on race, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The NTSB refrained from specifying whether DEI initiatives had any role in the crash, stating that it would investigate all aspects thoroughly.
Civil rights leaders and disability advocates have vehemently disagreed with Trump’s remarks. The Congressional Black Caucus labeled the comments as “disgusting and disgraceful,” stating that DEI initiatives embody American values and are beneficial to all Americans.
Tarlov also highlighted leadership gaps in key federal agencies, pointing out the absence of a Senate-confirmed FAA leader following Michael Whitaker’s resignation. She noted that Elon Musk, a Trump associate, had been pressuring Whitaker to step down for several months, threatening legal action over anticipated SpaceX safety requirement fines.
On April 9, Jessica Tarlov drew attention for her candid criticism of President Trump’s policies and decisions. She addressed the administration’s decision to postpone the implementation of significant tariffs, pointing out inconsistencies in the GOP’s trade strategy. She noted that Trump himself acknowledged the delay wasn’t part of a deliberate plan, but rather a reaction to market behavior. Tarlov emphasized that such policy reversals put administration officials in awkward positions, leaving them to face public embarrassment after previously defending those decisions.
Tarlov’s regular criticism of Trump reveals a unique dynamic at Fox News, a network where most on-air personalities have largely supported Trump since his rise in politics in 2015. As a co-host of “The Five,” Tarlov stands apart by consistently offering counterarguments on topics like trade policy and diversity efforts.
It’s uncommon for Fox News hosts to openly challenge Trump, especially during live broadcasts. The network has primarily centered its primetime coverage on favorable portrayals of the president. Those who have broken from this approach, such as former Fox contributors Chris Wallace and Shepard Smith, have sometimes faced criticism from viewers and even Trump himself.
