Swalwell’s viral claim on plane crashes under Trump contradicted by data
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic representative from California, made a bold claim earlier this month regarding plane crashes during the first month of a president’s term. He stated that “no president” has had more plane crashes during their first month in office than former President Donald Trump. However, recent data obtained by Fox News Digital contradicts Swalwell’s assertion, showing that there were actually more plane crashes during the same time period under President Joe Biden.
Swalwell’s statement came in response to a tragic small plane crash in Georgia that resulted in the loss of two lives. His tweet on Feb. 17 garnered over 7 million views on Twitter, sparking a debate on aviation safety and presidential terms.
Despite Swalwell’s claims, Department of Transportation data provided by a senior administration official revealed that there were 55 aviation accidents in the United States between Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 21, 2021, and Feb. 17, 2021. In comparison, there were 35 aviation accidents during the same period for Trump.
On a global scale, there were 91 aviation accidents during Biden’s first few weeks in office, while Trump experienced 50 during his initial month. These numbers paint a different picture than what Swalwell initially suggested.
In response to the data, White House communications director Steven Cheung criticized Swalwell, calling him a “habitual liar and fraud” suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Cheung emphasized the importance of honesty in public statements, especially from elected officials.
Swalwell later clarified that he was specifically referring to commercial airliners in his original post, although the term “planes” was used. He pointed out two U.S. commercial airliner crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries during Trump’s first month in office.
The debate surrounding plane crashes and presidential leadership has also seen involvement from other prominent figures. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt have weighed in on the issue, with differing opinions on the factors influencing aviation safety.
As the discussion continues, it’s essential to consider accurate data and factual information when assessing the impact of presidential actions on various aspects of governance, including aviation safety.
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