Podcast Summary: The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2129: Did DEI Cause the DC Crash?!

Release Date: January 31, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. Tragic Collision at Reagan National Airport

Timestamp: [00:00]

Ben Shapiro opens the episode addressing a horrifying tragedy near Reagan National Airport where an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a Blackhawk helicopter. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700, which had 60 passengers and four crew members. The Blackhawk helicopter, typically used for transporting VIPs, was reportedly flying above 200 feet—a height generally permitted for testing—when the collision occurred.

2. Analyzing the Causes

Ben delves into potential factors contributing to the crash:

• Helicopter Operations at Night: "Why the hell are Blackhawk helicopters operating at night in an area where passenger jets are coming in? That's totally insane" ([02:15]).

• Pilot and Air Traffic Control Errors: Questions arise about whether pilot error or air traffic control mishandling played a role. The Blackhawk pilots were conducting a training flight and possibly wearing night vision goggles, which might have impaired their peripheral vision.

• Historical Near Misses: Shapiro references a past incident where a commercial pilot narrowly avoided a collision with a Coast Guard helicopter, highlighting the frequency of such near-misses ([06:45]).

3. DEI Policies and FAA Performance

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):

• President Trump's Critique: "The FAA has been direly affected by DEI protocols and procedures over the course of the last decade" ([12:30]). Trump attributes the crash, in part, to DEI-driven hiring practices that prioritize diversity over competence.

• FAA's DEI Initiatives: Under the Obama and Biden administrations, the FAA implemented measures aimed at diversifying its workforce. These included biographical assessments that rewarded applicants based on factors like participation in school sports, which critics argue diverted focus from aviation safety ([18:50]).

• Senate Minority Leader Schumer's Response: Schumer dismisses Trump's claims, stating, "It's one thing for Internet pundits to spew conspiracy theories. It's another for the president to throw out idle speculation" ([25:10]).

4. Impact on Air Traffic Control and Safety

Shapiro discusses how DEI policies may have led to staffing shortages and compromised air traffic control:

• Staffing Challenges: Reports indicate that air traffic controllers were overburdened, with some handling the workload of two individuals due to insufficient staffing ([21:40]).

• Republican Attorneys General's Concerns: Eleven Republican attorneys general expressed to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker that DEI efforts were prioritizing "virtue signaling" over aviation experience, potentially endangering safety ([24:05]).

5. Senate Hearings on FAA and Transportation Nominees

The episode covers contentious Senate hearings involving key nominees affected by the crash's aftermath:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.): During his hearing, RFK Jr. faced tough questions regarding his stance on vaccines and conspiracy theories. Ben highlights RFK Jr.'s evasive answers when pressed about the link between vaccines and autism, emphasizing the broad consensus rejecting such claims ([40:30]).

• Cash Patel: As a nominee for FBI Director, Patel defended his record against accusations of advocating for the shutdown of FBI headquarters. Ben praises Patel's performance, noting his strong stance against government overreach and his commitment to due process ([55:50]).

  Cash Patel: "If it were me, I wouldn't have pardoned those who attacked cops. Safety is paramount." ([56:10])

• Tulsi Gabbard: Nominated to head the Directorate of National Intelligence, Gabbard faced scrutiny over her views on Edward Snowden and intelligence agency practices. Ben critiques her responses, suggesting her inability to definitively label Snowden as a traitor could hinder her confirmation ([68:45]).

6. Broader Political Implications

Ben Shapiro explores the broader political fallout from the crash and the ensuing blame placed on DEI policies:

• Executive Actions: In response to the crash, President Trump signed executive orders to end DEI practices in the aviation sector and appointed Christopher Rocheleau as the new FAA Commissioner, aiming to restore competence within the FAA ([75:20]).

• Legislative Moves: Shapiro anticipates that future legislative actions will seek to entrench reforms to prevent DEI-related shortcomings from affecting aviation safety permanently ([80:15]).

• Comparisons to Previous Policies: The discussion draws parallels between past DEI initiatives under Obama and the current administration's reversal efforts, arguing that these policies have historically undermined FAA performance ([82:30]).

7. Cultural Commentary and Recommendations

While primarily focused on the crash and DEI's role, Ben also touches upon cultural aspects:

• Critique of DEI Movements: Shapiro criticizes anti-racist movements and figures like Ibram X. Kendi, arguing that such initiatives are fundamentally flawed and counterproductive ([100:20]).

• Television and Book Recommendations: He briefly recommends TV shows like "Severance" and books such as Tom Holland's "Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World," tying them into broader cultural critiques ([110:00]).

8. Concluding Remarks

Ben Shapiro concludes by reiterating the need for competence over DEI in critical sectors like aviation and law enforcement. He emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations into the crash and advocates for policy reforms to ensure such tragedies do not recur.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Shapiro on DEI and FAA:
  "The FAA has been direly affected by DEI protocols and procedures over the course of the last decade." ([12:30])

• Cash Patel on Pardon Policies:
  "If it were me, I wouldn't have pardoned those who attacked cops. Safety is paramount." ([56:10])

• President Trump on DEI Hiring:
  "We took care of African Americans, Hispanic Americans. We took care of everybody at levels that nobody has ever seen before." ([30:00])

• Senator Chuck Schumer Responding to Trump:
  "It's one thing for Internet pundits to spew conspiracy theories. It's another for the president to throw out idle speculation." ([25:10])

• Ben Shapiro on Sena Hearings:
  "No, I don't think so at all. I think with the names of the people...they are a group of people that have lost their lives." ([59:45])

Conclusion:

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a comprehensive analysis of the tragic aircraft collision near Reagan National Airport, exploring the potential role of DEI policies within the FAA. He critiques the Biden administration's focus on diversity over competence, highlights contentious Senate hearings of key nominees, and ties these events into broader political and cultural narratives. Shapiro underscores the urgent need for policy reforms to enhance aviation safety and restore institutional competence.