AIRLINE INDUSTRY/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump and Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg spoke by telephone Tuesday [3-12-19], following Trump’s tweet about how flying has become too complicated, according to two sources familiar with the conversation. Muilenburg has talked to Trump frequently and appeared alongside him several times during the first two years of his presidency…Trump’s tweets come days after a Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane crashed, the second time in months that the new airplane model has wrecked minutes after takeoff, killing all on board. The crashes have raised questions about the role of a new software system installed on the plane, but investigators have yet to reach a conclusion about the cause. The officials did not share details of their conversation, but both confirmed the call to CNN. Later, a Boeing spokesman said Muilenburg ‘reiterated to the President our position that the MAX aircraft is safe.’ The similar circumstances of both crashes have caused several countries and airlines to ground the 737 MAX 8 planes, but despite growing calls from US lawmakers to do the same — and Trump’s tweet on Tuesday [3-12-19] morning — the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to follow suit.”
–Jeff Zeleny and Fredreka Schouten, “Trump speaks to Boeing CEO following tweets on airline technology,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, March 12, 2019 5:47 pm