Trump slammed for 'hiding on golf course' as Texas flood death toll rises to 51 and 27 girls missing
Trump has been slammed as disrespectful for playing golf during the tragedy© AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump has been slammed for allegedly hitting the golf course again after 51 people, including 15 children, were killed in flash floods in Texas.
The president often spends a significant amount of time at some of his most famous clubs, such as Trump International Golf Club, Bedminster, and Trump National Doral, Miami. Trump's public schedule revealed he is set to leave Bedminster, New Jersey, where one of his favorite courses is located, at 5pm local time on Sunday.
It comes as rescuers are continuing to scour through mangled trees and debris along the swollen Guadalupe River in an increasingly bleak mission to locate survivors. The flooding in Kerr County has killed at least 43 people, including 15 children, and at least eight people died in nearby counties. It comes as Melania was seen trying to leave Trump’s rambling balcony speech.
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More than 50 people have been killed in Texas and the toll is rising© Getty Images
Authorities still have not said how many people are missing beyond the 27 children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp. So far five girls are known to have died after their cabin swept away, including "best friends" Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck. The other three girls are Janie Hunt, Renee Smajstrla and Sarah Marsh.
The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes washing away homes and vehicles. And the danger is not over as rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio today and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect.
Trump's response to the disaster has been slammed as disrespectful and out of touch, with critics online accusing the president of caring more about golfing than the victims in Texas.
Trump has spent 22.5% of his time in office on the golf course© AFP via Getty Images
One man wrote on social media: "Trump is partially responsible for what happened due to his cuts to related government agencies. Even Texas officials are saying it. And instead of visiting Texas, he’s off playing golf. That’s how much he cares. 'The party' is not a handful of jerks on Twitter."
A second wrote: "Trump is hiding on his golf course while there’s a disaster in Central Texas." While a third said: "Did Trump express his devotion to Texas before, during or after he played golf?"
Another commented: "20+ INNOCENT CHILDREN WERE SWEPT AWAY IN A FLASH FLOOD IN TEXAS -- WHERE WAS AMERICAS PRESIDENT -- DONALD TRUMP WAS PLAYING GOLF!!!!"
Sharing their anger on X, another person said: "Tragic news coming from Texas this morning. 43 bodies recovered from the flash floods 15 of which are children and they haven't stopped searching. While all that was happening Trump was dancing on a balcony at the WH and is now playing golf."
During Trump's 167 days in office, he has spent 38 days on the golf course, which is the equivalent of 22.75% of his time in charge of the country, according to Trump Golf Track.
The Irish Star has reached out to the White House for comment on the president's whereabouts over the weekend.
On Saturday, five aircraft breached restricted airspace over Trump's New Jersey golf club, the US military said. An F-16 US fighter jet intercepted a general aviation aircraft that violated the temporary restriction.
The US military polices the airspace around the president, including over Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort or his Bedminster golf course, when he is in residence. |
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