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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, experienced a tense and controversial moment during his visit to the area hardest hit by the floods that have resulted in at least 96 deaths, including 36 children, and more than 160 individuals missing in Texas.
The scene that has generated the most conversation did not take place along the devastated banks of the Guadalupe River, but rather in a press room where a question sparked the anger of the president, reported CNN.
During a roundtable in Kerrville, the capital of the affected county, a journalist asked Trump what he had to say to the families questioning the delay in activating flood alerts, a delay that many believe could have saved lives. Rather than respond, the president harshly interjected:
“Only a bad person would ask a question like that. I don't know who you are, but only an evil person would ask that.”
The public reprimand left the room stunned and marked a new episode in Trump's contentious relationship with the press. According to El País, the president, true to his style, shifted attention to a conservative reporter who praised him, whom he publicly thanked for his "good question."
The question, uncomfortable yet legitimate, echoed among the rescuers and families who are still searching for their loved ones amidst the rubble and mud. The journalist merely voiced the outcry of hundreds of Texas families, many of whom are Latino, who are still awaiting answers. Why was no alarm sounded? Why does the Guadalupe River, known for its flooding, not have an alert system?
Despite the lost lives, Trump insisted that "everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances." He praised local and federal authorities but omitted mentioning the international aid that has come from Mexico: the rescue group "Topos", firefighters from Acuña, and Civil Protection from Nuevo León, who are collaborating in the search for bodies, noted Univision.
Previously, the governor of Texas, the Republican Greg Abbott, had called another journalist who insisted on the same question about the alerts a "loser."
Meanwhile, in Kerrville, events are multiplying to honor the victims. The pain does not recognize political colors. Families continue searching, their hope waning and with a question that remains unanswered: Could this tragedy have been prevented?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trump Controversy in Texas
What happened during Trump's visit to Texas after the floods?
Donald Trump had a tense moment with a journalist when questioned about the delay in activating flood alerts, which provoked his anger and triggered criticism of his demeanor.
Why was Trump's response to the question about flood alerts criticized?
The criticism stems from the fact that Trump diverted attention from the legitimate question regarding the delay in flood alerts, labeling the question as "wicked" instead of addressing the issue of safety and prevention.
What impact did the absence of an alert system have in Texas?
The lack of an early warning system contributed to the tragedy of the floods in Texas, as the Guadalupe River rapidly overflowed and there was no time for evacuation, resulting in numerous deaths and disappearances.
What measures are being taken to assist those affected by the floods in Texas?
Rescue teams from local and international sources have been deployed, including assistance from Mexico, to search for the missing and support the victims of the floods in Texas.
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