Donald Trump’s rumoured flight to his private golf course in Sterling, Virginia, with the Category 5 hurricane Dorian raging towards Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia has prompted a backlash online. As several reports earlier claimed, the US president left the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland where he stayed to track the storm situation after postponing his trip across the Atlantic to take part in events, commemorating the start of the Second World War. As a CNN reporter said on Twitter, his press pool was taken to a site near his golf club in Virginia.
Here's Trump's public schedule for this weekend. He's been tweeting from Camp David; the press pool has been taken to a site near Trump's golf club in Virginia. (Public schedules don't include all of a president's activities.) pic.twitter.com/QxxIftybCw
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 31, 2019
Later, The Hill posted a video, noting that it featured Donald Trump golfing. However, the figures on it are so small that it is hard to distinguish any person.
President Trump golfing in Sterling, VA. pic.twitter.com/S9mYwgEPz1
— The Hill (@thehill) August 31, 2019
According to the pool reporters, cited by CBS News, he was back from Virginia, where he flew via helicopter, Saturday afternoon. At Camp David, he met with FEMA officials to discuss handling the situation, which is set to affect millions of Americans. According to White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, Donald Trump "participated in several phone calls" and received briefings every hour.
“He has someone traveling with him to specifically brief him on an hourly basis”, she said, as cited by a CNN reporter.
Asked about the video, claimed to picture Trump golfing, she noted that she “has no idea what that video is”.
As many commenters suggest, golfing at this time hardly seemed appropriate.
I love that Donald Trump is spending Saturday at his golf course before a category 4 hurricane strikes the United States. It's so on-brand.
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) August 31, 2019
When Trump gets blamed for any issues regarding the hurricane, he will deserve every bit of it. He took a golf vacation yesterday, instead of planning for the hurricane. He’s a lazy, useless traitor, and he puts us all in danger. He’s the absolute worst. So are most Republicans.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) September 1, 2019
Trump said he'd spend the weekend at Camp David preparing for #HurricaneDorian
— Gamora Resists🔥 (@exoticgamora) September 1, 2019
But he traveled, by helicopter at tax payer's expense, to his Virginia golf course
Still looks like a narcissist to me
Anyone think this was more than just a damn photo op?
https://t.co/0UtV2IlBdz
Remember when Trump claimed Obama was golfing when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast? He wasn't even President yet. What was "President" Trump doing during Dorian's onslaught? Just another day on the golf course.
— Denizcan James (@MrFilmkritik) September 1, 2019
Hypocrisy at it's finest.
I can’t wait to See Donald Trump’s new book - “THE FINE ART OF LEADERSHIP BY PLAYING GOLF AND BLAMING OTHER’S” pic.twitter.com/V9sgAerIe8
— Patrick Scott (@PmSisme) August 31, 2019
What exactly would it take for Donald Trump NOT to golf? 🤷♂️ #HurricaneDorian2019
— Mike Axelrod (@mike_axelrod) August 31, 2019
The reports come amid another mass shooting in Texas, which prompted an even greater wave of criticism.
To honor the victims of the mass shooting in Texas yesterday, President Trump will golf very somberly today.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) September 1, 2019
However, some doubted the veracity of the video.
Nothing. Fake news. He’s at camp David. This clip is from May
— KSE (@kbk3n3) August 31, 2019