Tweet storm
Don talked big, ignored toll as ’cane raged
AS TROPICAL Storm Harvey swamped Houston on Sunday, the President kept tweeting about the magnitude of the disaster — but said nothing of the people who died.
President Trump essentially live-tweeted the monster Texas storm as it intensified Sunday. His only acknowledgment of the lives lost came secondhand through a White House statement.
In nearly 10 tweets spanning the morning and afternoon, Trump made no mention of the death toll, which reached at least five.
Instead, he marveled that the hurricane-turned-tropical storm — which was expected to bring the highest-ever rainfall to Houston — was awfully big.
“Many people are now saying that this is the worst storm/hurricane they have ever seen. Good news is that we have great talent on the ground,” Trump said in one tweet.
In another, he proclaimed, “Wow — Now experts are calling #Harvey a once in 500 year flood! We have an all out effort going, and going well!”
And in yet another tweet he added: “Even experts have said they’ve never seen one like this!”
Amid his flood of Harvey messages, Trump tweeted about his Mexico border wall, his plans to potentially end NAFTA and his election results.
He said he would be visiting Texas as soon as he could do so without “causing disruption.”
He continued, “I will also be going to a wonderful state, Missouri, that I won by a lot in ’16.”
Trump also plugged a book by Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke — a Trump supporter with a history of alleged abuse — before tweeting a word on Sunday about the hurricane.
The White House was “coordinating logistics with state and local officials” for Trump to visit Texas on Tuesday, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. Once details were finalized, more information would be available. “We continue to keep all of those affected in our thoughts and prayers,” she said. Trump is scheduled to visit Missouri this week to promote tax reform, one of his legislative priorities when Congress returns in September. As Trump tweeted, Houston residents struggled to endure as Harvey’s punishing floods and rain swallowed up the city. The National Weather Service said some parts of the country’s fourth-largest city could get hit with 50 inches of rain by the end of the week.
“This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety. #Harvey,” the Weather Service tweeted.
The storm will be the Trump administration’s first test for how it handles natural disasters.
“HISTORIC rainfall in Houston, and all over Texas. Floods are unprecedented, and more rain coming,” the President tweeted. “Spirit of the people is incredible. Thanks!”
The White House said in a statement that Trump and Vice President Pence held a video conference with officials Sunday to discuss federal support for Harvey. The statement said Trump’s “No. 1 priority is saving lives.”
“The President and vice president continue to extend their thoughts and prayers to those affected and recognize the many volunteer and faith-based organizations dedicating time and effort to helping fellow Americans,” it said.
FEMA administrator Brock Long (photo) said Harvey could become the worst disaster in Texas history, and that recovery efforts will last “many years.”