NTSB Data Destroys Swalwell's False Trump-Plane Crash Claims

Paul Riverbank, 2/18/2025NTSB data disproves Congressman Swalwell's claims linking Trump to increased plane crashes.

The California congressman's remarks came in response to a tragic small plane crash in Covington, Georgia, which resulted in two fatalities. Rather than expressing condolences, Swalwell took to social media with a politically charged message, claiming that "no president has had more planes crash in their first month in office than Donald Trump."

However, official records from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) tell a different story. During Trump's first month in office, the NTSB documented 35 aviation incidents, with 12 resulting in injuries or deaths. In contrast, under President Biden's initial month, the agency investigated 55 plane accidents, with 24 involving injuries or fatalities — significantly more than during Trump's tenure.

White House communications director Steven Cheung responded forcefully to Swalwell's claims. "Swalwell must be taking his orders from Fang Fang or suffering from a severe debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome," Cheung stated, referencing Swalwell's previous controversy involving alleged connections to a Chinese operative. "He is a complete disgrace not only as an elected official, but as a human being who has continued to beclown himself."

The congressman's attempt to politicize aviation safety — particularly before investigators could determine the cause of the Georgia crash — has drawn widespread criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Critics argue that such rhetoric not only diminishes the tragedy of lives lost but also threatens to undermine public trust in aviation safety oversight.

This incident follows a pattern of controversial statements from Swalwell, who has become known for his provocative social media presence and heated rhetoric — particularly regarding the former president. The timing of his comments has proved especially controversial, coming as families of the crash victims were still processing their loss.

The aviation industry, meanwhile, continues its focus on safety improvements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working with various stakeholders — including SpaceX — to discuss potential enhancements to safety protocols, demonstrating that aviation safety transcends political boundaries.

The episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can be weaponized in today's political climate — even when the facts don't support the narrative. As investigations into recent aviation incidents continue, safety experts emphasize the importance of allowing proper investigative processes to unfold before drawing conclusions about causes or responsibility.

In a display of what critics are calling extreme partisan rhetoric, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has sparked controversy by attempting to blame recent plane crashes on former President Donald Trump — a claim that official data quickly proved to be false.The California congressman's remarks came in response to a tragic small plane crash in Covington, Georgia, which resulted in two fatalities. Rather than expressing condolences, Swalwell took to social media with a politically charged message, claiming that "no president has had more planes crash in their first month in office than Donald Trump."However, official records from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) tell a different story. During Trump's first month in office, the NTSB documented 35 aviation incidents, with 12 resulting in injuries or deaths. In contrast, under President Biden's initial month, the agency investigated 55 plane accidents, with 24 involving injuries or fatalities — significantly more than during Trump's tenure.White House communications director Steven Cheung responded forcefully to Swalwell's claims. "Swalwell must be taking his orders from Fang Fang or suffering from a severe debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome," Cheung stated, referencing Swalwell's previous controversy involving alleged connections to a Chinese operative. "He is a complete disgrace not only as an elected official, but as a human being who has continued to beclown himself."The congressman's attempt to politicize aviation safety — particularly before investigators could determine the cause of the Georgia crash — has drawn widespread criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Critics argue that such rhetoric not only diminishes the tragedy of lives lost but also threatens to undermine public trust in aviation safety oversight.This incident follows a pattern of controversial statements from Swalwell, who has become known for his provocative social media presence and heated rhetoric — particularly regarding the former president. The timing of his comments has proved especially controversial, coming as families of the crash victims were still processing their loss.The aviation industry, meanwhile, continues its focus on safety improvements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working with various stakeholders — including SpaceX — to discuss potential enhancements to safety protocols, demonstrating that aviation safety transcends political boundaries.The episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can be weaponized in today's political climate — even when the facts don't support the narrative. As investigations into recent aviation incidents continue, safety experts emphasize the importance of allowing proper investigative processes to unfold before drawing conclusions about causes or responsibility.