While a natural disaster was playing out in real time in Houston, President Donald Trump found solace on Twitter Sunday morning, signaling to the American people that all was well despite the devastation in Texas.
Trump’s first tweet Sunday morning was a promotion for Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke’s new book, “Cop under Fire.”
A great book by a great guy, highly recommended! https://t.co/3jbDDN8YmJ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
It was only after this tweet that Trump addressed the dire situation in Houston.
Great coordination between agencies at all levels of government. Continuing rains and flash floods are being dealt with. Thousands rescued.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
I will be going to Texas as soon as that trip can be made without causing disruption. The focus must be life and safety.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
His focus on Houston did not last long, however, as he soon began taking shots at the Democratic Party.
I will also be going to a wonderful state, Missouri, that I won by a lot in '16. Dem C.M. is opposed to big tax cuts. Republican will win S!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
While Trump was aimlessly tweeting about his election win, images from Houston showed just how hard the city was hit by the storm.
This is insane this is a traffic camera at the height of the street lights almost underwater in #Houston. #Flood #Harvey pic.twitter.com/45s3NGUUjF
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) August 27, 2017
Aerial video shows Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston as Harvey causes severe flooding in Texas https://t.co/iJHbYTFT7I
Video via @avmidas pic.twitter.com/cVV8fI63fs— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 27, 2017
Trump did gawk at the severity of the storm, writing in a tweet that Hurricane Harvey brought a “once in 500 year flood!”
Wow – Now experts are calling #Harvey a once in 500 year flood! We have an all out effort going, and going well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
But immediately after that tweet, Trump turned his sights on Mexico and the border wall he cannot seem to fund. Trump again pledged that Mexico will pay for the wall and also called the neighboring country “one of the highest crime nations in the world.”
With Mexico being one of the highest crime Nations in the world, we must have THE WALL. Mexico will pay for it through reimbursement/other.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
There have been reports of deaths in Texas from the storm, but Trump has yet to acknowledge them. Instead, he decided to take a swipe at NAFTA and admonished Mexico and Canada for being “very difficult” in the trade negotiations.
We are in the NAFTA (worst trade deal ever made) renegotiation process with Mexico & Canada.Both being very difficult,may have to terminate?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2017
Trump’s laissez-faire attitude toward the flood is even more galling considering he used the storm as a distraction from two highly controversial orders. On Friday night, when Hurricane Harvey made landfall, Trump pardoned Joe Arpaio and directed the military to implement a ban on transgender individuals from serving.
