Trump slammed for praising Texas’ ‘incredible’ flood response as death toll crosses 100: 'Doesn't get it'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is facing flak for congratulating Texas officials on what he described as an “incredible” response to deadly flash floods that inundated most of the state, wreaked massive devastation, and claimed over 100 lives.

The devastating flooding that officials described as ‘100 years catastrophe,’ began early on the morning of the Fourth of July when the Guadalupe River burst its banks as a deadly storm dumped 12 inches of rain on the Texas Hill Country.

During a press conference on Monday, July 7, the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, reported that 110 people were confirmed dead and 161 were still missing following the flash flood.

Donald Trump congratulates Texas for ‘incredible’ flood response

The 79-year-old president was speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 8, when he seized a moment to commend both Texas and federal law enforcement and first responders for their rescue efforts during the flooding.

He started by fawning over his relationship with the Texas governor, stating, “With Texas and the governor has been obviously very good for years with me. But the relationship with Texas and their first responders, and us with our first responders, and lots of other people.”

Trump then went on to praise the first responders as ‘pros’ for handling a dangerous situation when his administration brought in several helicopters.

“We brought in a lot of helicopters from all over, and we had a lot of helicopters. It was actually dangerous. But they were real pros, and they were responsible for pulling out a lot of people. And we got them there fast, and they, Texas had some good ones too,” the president said.

He further stated that “the response has been incredible. And, the fact that we got along so well, I don't know. I think a lot of lives have been saved. That could have been as bad as it was, and you could have lost double or triple.”

“This thing was just really horrible. Well, congratulations on a great job, and I appreciate it. I'll be going down on Friday with, first lady who would be taking a trip, and we don't wanna get in anyone's way because, you know, that's what happens,” he continued.

Texas flash flood raises scrutiny over NWS layoffs and emergency alerts

Trump’s comments came as the death toll soared past 115. Among the dead are at least 27 young girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp tucked along the South Fork of the Guadalupe River.

Search and rescue operations are still underway as more rain is expected to hit the battered region in the coming days.

While many praised the swift response to the flash flooding, critics contend that past policy choices by officials have cast doubt on whether the catastrophe could have been better foreseen and managed.

Earlier this year, in a bid to reduce federal spending, funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) was cut by 30%, accompanied by a 17% reduction in staff.

Questioning the disaster cuts, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for an investigation into “the scope, breadth, and ramifications of whether staffing shortages at key local National Weather Service (NWS) stations contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and property during the deadly flooding.”

Amid the flooding, several reports also stated that there was no outdoor siren or warning alarm to alert people to the danger in several places as flood water rose rapidly on the Guadalupe River in Texas early on July 4.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, a top local government official, said in the wake of the flooding that the area does "not have a warning system." However, the county does have an online emergency alert system called CodeRED.

Internet slams Trump for congratulating Texas over ‘incredible’ flood response

Trump’s praise for Texas’ ‘incredible’ flood response has sparked online outrage.

“OMG he just doesn’t get it. He can’t go without making it worse but he made it better. Can’t give a simple compassionate statement,” a user slammed.

“Translation: innocent children died BUT the federal government saved millions of dollars to go towards tax breaks for millionaires so it was worth it,” the second user blasted.

“When it comes to emergencies, it shouldn't be political. I can't believe this guy is a real person,” the third user wrote while the forth one commented, “All they wanted was an excuse to not hate him. He does that and nothing changes. Reality be damned.”

”The old “coulda been worse.” Always so comforting,” another user mocked. “Same bs Abbott said after Uvalde. Well it coulda been worse so gj anyway,” one more said.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online