Donald Trump held a TV opp today to talk about the hurricane, but then he moved right along. Instead of hunkering down in the White House to monitor the storm he decided his fans in Pennsylvania needed him more.
A tired-sounding Trump says he’s not planning to cancel his campaign rally in Pennsylvania tonight despite the storm because “there are thousands of people already lined up… we have thousands of people going tonight, and many are there already… it’s sorta unfair to them.” pic.twitter.com/AlsY57t4KG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 10, 2018
Soon after he tweeted: “Departing the @WhiteHouse for Erie, Pennsylvania. I cannot disappoint the thousands of people that are there – and the thousands that are going. I look forward to seeing everyone this evening.”
Air Force One (C-32A/757) awaits Pres Trump for flight to Erie, PA., for his political rally tonight. Pres considered, but decided against cancelling trip to better monitor development of Hurricane Michael. Said he didn't want to disappoint supporters waiting in line for hours. pic.twitter.com/DCRTq6r9uf
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 10, 2018
"It would be very very unfair" to those waiting in line at rally @realDonaldTrump said to reporters after he landed in Erie when asked about his attending a campaign rally while #HurricaneMichael is a danger.
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) October 10, 2018
If this were a rare event, it might be a big deal to miss, but as CBS reports it’s one of many he’s held this month:
President Trump is in Erie, Pennsylvania, Wednesday evening to meet with supporters and hold a “Make America Great Again” rally. This is Mr. Trump’s second rally this week, as he fulfills his promise to campaign for Republicans around the country ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections.
Of course, in a former life, Trump himself would have had a huge problem with this show must go on mentality. Back in 2012 he criticized his predecessor for campaigning 8 days after a category 1 storm hit the New York/New Jersey area.
Yesterday Obama campaigned with JayZ & Springsteen while Hurricane Sandy victims across NY & NJ are still decimated by Sandy. Wrong!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2012
It isn’t expected that Trump would visit the Florida panhandle the day of the storm, but most presidents would stay put to at least monitor the situation. Go back to the day of the storm, October 29, 2012 and you’ll find that Obama suspended campaigning.
Trump says he “cannot disappoint” thousands of people in Pennsylvania rally tonight even as a monster hurricane ravages Florida’s coast. But, as @jeffzeleny points out, he’s still attending a high-dollar fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate Lou Barletta and other Rs before event https://t.co/gV08lw6sbc
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 10, 2018