'Next-level terrible’: Two Trumps on display in wake of Potomac plane crash

There seemed to be two President Donald Trumps in the immediate aftermath of the deadly collision between an American Airlines airplane and Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington.

The crash, which occurred over the Potomac River as the plane tried to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the helicopter was conducting a training mission, presents the first test of Trump’s nascent second administration after a record of uneven responses to tragedy during his first term.

As 67 families learned their loved ones, including 60 airline passengers, four crew members, and three military personnel, were victims of the crash, the White House portrayed Trump as a traditional, steady, and measured commander in chief on Wednesday before the president returned to the campaign-style, reality TV star politician, speculating about the cause of the incident hours after the explosion before delivering a free-wheeling press briefing on Thursday.