CNN’s Dana Bash repeatedly confronted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Sunday over President Donald Trump’s handling of the nationwide aviation crisis, sparking a tense back-and-forth over the president’s priorities and his failure to publicly address the chaos.
The clash unfolded on CNN’s “State of the Union,” where Bash challenged Duffy over the administration’s demand for $50 billion to modernize the nation’s aging air traffic control system.
Bash questioned why Trump had successfully pushed priorities ranging from immigration enforcement to election reform, the White House ballroom, and the reflecting pool.
“Is it a failure on his part that you haven’t gotten this money?” she asked.
“Well, not at all,” Duffy fired back, insisting Trump had been deeply involved in modernization efforts.
But Bash wasn’t finished.
“Didn't Americans deserve to hear from him while this was going on?” she pressed, noting that Trump had remained publicly silent as Friday’s nationwide ground stop stranded travelers.
Duffy insisted Trump had been in constant communication with administration officials.
“He was posting on social media,” Bash quickly pointed out. Duffy continued defending Trump’s involvement, but Bash pressed him again.
“No, no, I know, but that’s what’s so stunning about it,” she said, noting that the president had posted about the motion picture industry and revitalizing a golf course.
“And that's why it's so noteworthy that we didn't hear from him for just a day and a half,” the CNN anchor added.
Duffy maintained that Trump was “fully engaged” throughout the emergency.
“His engagement has been remarkable,” Duffy said.
