Politics - News Analysis
Watch Zero-Empathy Trump Get Excited Over Tornado Deaths, ‘A Whole Family Got Wiped-Out!’
Donald Trump on Friday visited a Tennessee town devastated by a tornado to console victims, and pledged “whatever they need” in federal aid…and also got very weird when discussing those who died in the storms.
In Cookeville, Trump stood amid the rubble of homes and sheared-off trees on a street where eight people were killed. A total of 18 people were killed in the Putnam County community when an EF-4 tornado packing winds of nearly 200 mph struck, leaving a path of destruction 50 miles long.
“I love them very much, that’s why I’m here,” Trump said. “I was going to visit yesterday, but they asked me for one more day because they were looking for bodies, believe it or not, up until now. It’s tough. One family got entirely wiped out.”
He spoke of an 8-year-old boy who was sucked out of his home by the twister and landed, alive, more than two blocks away. The rest of his family died.
“They found him walking on the street,” the president said. “His parents were killed, and his sister.”
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Trump approved emergency federal disaster aid for the state; Gov. Bill Lee said the amount needed hasn’t been determined yet.
“We’re very grateful that you’re here,” the governor told Trump. “Tennesseans are grateful for your support. It’s been a painful, tragic week for our state. Your presence here reminds us that people all across the country care about what’s happening here. We’re going to overcome.”
The president said his administration and FEMA are “working very hard.”
“We love them, they’re special people,” he said of Tennesseans. “Already you see people rebuilding. It’s a great state.”
Trump, surveying tornado damage in Tennessee, talks about a young child who was found walking in the street.
Trump: "How did his family do?"
Official: They're deceased.
Trump: "So his parents were killed. And his sister. So we're going to go see some of the folks." pic.twitter.com/zttQQiwPIO
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) March 6, 2020
Remember, Trump is talking about people here. A mother, a father, a FAMILY. The way he shows zero empathy is sickening, and he was immediately called out for it.
And this is why Trump is uniquely ill equipped to be President.
He is completely devoid of empathy.
— david pumpkins (@davidpumpkins1) March 6, 2020
He was more focused on making the spinning tornado motions carrying a little boy away than he was with the boy losing his family. He tries to mimic caring and concern but it's so obvious it's foreign to him. Completely dead inside.
— Charlene E. (@u2charlene) March 6, 2020
To him, this visit is a “have to”, a disruption to living a pampered life or a tee time at Maralago. Obviously, he was not briefed enough beforehand, didn’t ask enough questions during the briefing to get accurate details, and just doesn’t care. This is your elected leader.
— John Moore (@highroads21) March 6, 2020
OMG the appropriate response, mr. trump, is "I'm so sorry to hear that." He can't even say that. He spends more time on the whirling around in the air. It's oddly fascinating to see how he spins (literally) these yarns in real time.
It's going to get worse. Way worse. 😟
— Sustainergy Advisors🌹 (@SustainergyA) March 6, 2020
And let’s not forget Trump’s is wearing campaign merch for this visit:
Trump wears campaign merchandise to the scene of tornado damage in Tennessee. He has repeatedly used natural disasters to do this. pic.twitter.com/8muA27zJbv
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 6, 2020
Comments
Comments are currently closed.