Donald Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt learned of the devastating air crash near Washington DC just minutes before she was scheduled to appear on Fox News for an interview with Sean Hannity. 

Moments after the collision, Leavitt confirmed that Trump had been briefed on the crash between a commercial American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River. 

She initially intended to come on the broadcast for a different reason, but given the shocking disaster, Leavitt was asked to confirm details of the tragedy while live on-air. 

‘That’s all I can confirm at this point in time,’ she continued. ‘I can just say that the thoughts and the prayers of the entire Trump Administration are with all those that are involved, and we ask the public in this area to please stand by for guidance from law enforcement, and allow them to do their jobs as they attempt to save lives right now.’ 

Hannity then cut to footage of authorities outside Washington DC responding to the crash over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport. 

Leavitt informed Hannity’s audience that several agencies, including federal authorities and local law enforcement, were working together on the ground to assist the victims of the crash. 

As Leavitt was on air, Hannity read a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration confirming more details of the crash. 

 The FAA released the information just after 10:00 pm, confirming that a regional jet collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while approaching a runway at the Reagan National Airport an hour earlier. 

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash and providing more updates as they come in. 

The American Airlines regional jet had 64 people on board, including four crew members, and the Army helicopter was carrying three US service members, all of which were killed in the crash. 

The jet was departing from Wichita, Kansas. Russian figure skaters were on board after attending the national figure skating championships. 

Wichita is a hub for aviation, as Representative Ron Estes noted at a press conference Thursday morning. 

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu told reporters on Thursday morning, ‘Our hearts are heavy as a city.’

‘This is a terrible tragedy that will unite those in Washington DC, and Wichita, Kansas, forever,’ she added. 

The disastrous air crash is the first national tragedy that newly appointed Trump administration members are tasked with. 

Leavitt, who holds a position that doesn’t require Congressional approval, made her debut as press secretary in the White House briefing room on Tuesday. 

She spoke for almost an hour, introducing herself to the press corp., answering questions on a federal grant and loan freeze, and the administration’s deportation efforts. 

Leavitt has also made recent appearances on Fox News, including her spot on Hannity when she informed viewers of the horrific crash.

In addition to Leavitt’s last-minute pivot on Fox News, Sean Duffy, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Transportation dove into his duties just days after his confirmation. 

Duffy, who previously served as a representative for Wisconsin in Congress, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday.

The same week as his confirmation, Duffy joined DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine at Reagan National Airport for a news conference on the Wednesday night crash. 

Duffy told reporters that the aircrafts were flying in a standard flight pattern and the weather was clear for travel. 

‘Safety is our expectation. Everyone who flies in American skies expects that we fly safely, that when you depart an airport, you get to your destination. That didn’t happen last night,’ Duffy said. 

‘I know that President Trump, his administration, the FAA, the DOT – we will not rest until we have answers for the families and for the flying public,’ he added. 

Trump released a statement on his Truth Social account after the crash, reiterating that the night was clear and both aircrafts were on a standard flight path. 

‘Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!’ he added. 

Duffy defended Trump’s claim at the news conference, clarifying that authorities don’t have all the information, but that he ‘absolutely’ believes the crash was preventable. 

Trump’s newly appointed Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced on X that his department will be investigating the crash as well. 

‘Absolutely tragic. Search and rescue efforts still ongoing. Prayers for all impacted souls, and their families,’ he added in a tweet. 

Authorities are still working to recover the bodies lost in the crash and determine what caused the fatal collision. 

The Reagan National Airport is beginning to slowly open back up and flights are scheduled to resume at 11:00 am EST.