On Friday morning, MSNBC juxtaposed footage of former President Ronald Reagan somberly addressing the nation after the 1986 Challenger explosion that shocked the nation in 1986 with Donald Trump's finger-pointing press conference to address a commercial plane crash over the Potomac two days ago.
Introduced by "Morning Joe" co-host Jonathan Lemire –– who was highly critical of the president's performance on MSNBC earlier –– the dueling presidential statement clip labeled "How Leaders Address the Nation During Tragedies" demonstrated what they suggested was Trump's startling lack of empathy for the victims and their families as he used it to attempt to score political points.
After Reagan was shown saying, "On behalf of the first lady, myself and 340 million Americans, our hearts are shattered alongside yours, and our prayers are with you now and in the days to come," Trump was shown telling reporters, "We do not know what led to this crash, but we have some very strong opinions and ideas."
ALSO READ: Top GOPer's ‘most immediate’ priority for new committee includes probing a MAGA conspiracy
With Reagan continuing, "I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it," Trump offered up to the country, "The FAA says people with severe disabilities are the most underrepresented segment of the workforce, and they want them in and they want them, they can be air traffic controllers. I don't think so. "
"To the schoolchildren of America, who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff, I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery," Reagan consoled the country while Trump instead continued to point the finger elsewhere by blaming the tragedy on DEI, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and President Joe Biden's administration.
After the clip ran, MSNBC's Lemire bluntly stated, "That contrast couldn't be starker."
- YouTubeyoutu.be
