A water-based pro-Trump rally ended in disaster this week after several of the participating vessels sank beneath the waves of Lake Travis.
In what the President’s opponents will be hoping is not a metaphor for the rest of the campaign, around four boats became flooded, leading experts to blame the large number of boats on the small lake for causing excess chop.
Although an investigation has been launched into the incident, officials have found absolutely no evidence of any intentional act of sabotage. As Travis County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kristen Dark explained in a statement:
"We responded to multiple calls of boats in distress, several of them sank. We had an exceptional number of boats on the lake today... When they all started moving at the same time, it generated significant waves."
Watch As Couple's Sailboat Sinks Two Days After Departing:
Although local media report many people being rescued from the water, it appears as though there were no serious injuries at the scene. However, according to The New York Times, as many as four vessels sank without a trace.
The event itself was originally promoted on a Facebook group dubbed “Lake Travis Trump Boat Parade”. More than 2,600 people had suggested that they would be attending, with a further 5,000 declaring their interest in participating.
The description of the event encouraged “boats of all shapes and sizes” to participate, and also suggested that flag displays and banners were to be a key feature.
Predictably, social media was less than sympathetic to the sunken boat owners. Before long, the hashtag "Dumbkirk" began trending. One Twitter user declared, “Decades of atheism are over. I now believe in God.” Another added, “Those boats are losers. I prefer boats that stay afloat,” in an echo of the President’s recent alleged comments about military personnel.
On Friday (July 4), the Guadalupe River in Kerr County surged more than 20 feet in just 90 minutes during an early morning rainstorm.
The flood swept away cabins at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp that hosts girls aged seven to 17.
While most campers were evacuated, between 23 and 25 girls remain unaccounted for, with parents rushing to the river’s edge in search of any word about their children.
Flooding in Texas has left several people dead and nearly two dozen girls missing. Credit: Eric Vryn / Getty
According to Sky News, officials confirmed that 237 people have been rescued so far, including 167 by helicopter, but many remain missing amid the devastation.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly has shared that there was no warning before the flooding struck. “We didn’t know this flood was coming. Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming,” adding that the area has no warning system, BBC News reported.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for several of the hardest-hit counties in central Texas: Bandera, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimball, Llano, Mason, McCullough, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, and Tom Green.
It will ensure the counties “are going to have access to every tool, strategy, personnel that the state of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless,” he said, per CNN, adding: "We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plan, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person.”
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter conducts rescue operations along the Guadalupe River. Credit: Eric Vryn / Getty
As the scale of the tragedy became clear, President Donald Trump described the situation as “terrible” and “shocking,” confirming the federal government will coordinate with Governor Abbott to provide aid.
“They don’t know the answer yet as to how many people, but it looks like some young people have died,” the 79-year-old said while speaking from Air Force One.
When asked if the federal government would send support, he replied, “Oh yeah, we’ll take care of it. We’re working with the governor.”
First lady Melania Trump also spoke out, expressing her sympathy to the parents on her social media platform.
“My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time,” she wrote. “I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience.”
Meanwhile, families have begun sharing the names of some of the missing girls in hopes of finding them alive: Hadley Hanna, eight, Lainey Landry, nine, Eloise Peck, Lila Bonner, Renee Smajstrla, Janie Hunt, Greta Toranzo, Kellyanne Lytal, and Virginia Hollis.
Camp Mystic has advised parents that if they have not been contacted directly, they should assume their daughters are safe, but officials caution that rescue efforts are ongoing.
As the death toll continues to rise following catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas, President Donald Trump had a stern response to a journalist who questioned the federal response.
The floods, which struck over the July 4th holiday, have left at least 129 dead and more than 150 people missing. One of the worst hit was Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, where at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives.
Texas has been ravaged by floods. Credit: Jim Vondruska / Getty
In one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history, the Guadalupe River rose by 26 feet in less than an hour, overwhelming emergency systems and sweeping away homes, businesses, and residents.
Trump: "Only an Evil Person Would Ask a Question Like That"
Now, controversy has arisen during a roundtable at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas, on July 11, where President Trump met with local officials and first responders.
During the event, a CBS News reporter asked: “Several families we heard from are obviously upset because they say those warnings, those alerts didn’t go out in time, and they also say that people could have been saved. What do you say to those families?”—Trump initially responded with composure.
“Well, I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances,” he said.
But the tone quickly shifted.
“Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you,” Trump continued. “I don’t know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that.
“It’s easy to sit back and say, ‘Oh, what could have happened here or there, you know? Maybe we could have done something differently?’ This was a thing that has never happened before."
He later doubled down: “This has been heroism,” and added, “Really, the job you've all done... It’s amazing, the incredible spirit from those families.”
Trump’s statement that this was a “one in 1,000 years” disaster echoes language used by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who joined him in defending the state’s emergency response, per News18.
Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level on Friday. Credit: NurPhoto / Getty
Growing Criticism Over Missed Warnings
Despite Trump’s praise for responders, scrutiny of the early warning system has intensified. According to reports, the National Weather Service issued two flood warnings overnight before the disaster struck, but Kerrville’s mayor stated that local authorities weren’t aware of the flooding until hours later due to the timing.
Further reporting from the New York Times revealed that officials had requested funding for a more robust flood warning system at least three times prior to the flood — each time denied by the state.
Meanwhile, local dispatch audio confirmed that Kerr County officials waited 90 minutes to send an emergency alert after it had been requested, ABC News reports.
Rep. Chip Roy: “Pointing Fingers Is for Losers”
Conservative Rep. Chip Roy, who accompanied Trump during the visit, condemned the media for its questioning. “For all of the media clamoring to ask that ridiculous first question and try to point fingers, the governor said it best when he said pointing fingers is for losers,” he stated.
"This state is about looking forward, and we'll figure out how to make our systems the best they can be. But more importantly, when you see 26 feet of water rising a foot per minute, don't go around pointing fingers," Roy added.
FEMA and Emergency Management Under Spotlight
As Trump praised local and federal collaboration, questions about the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also resurfaced.
“We have some good people running FEMA,” Trump said on Friday. “It’s about time, right? We get some good ones. They failed us in North Carolina. But when we got in on Jan. 20, they fixed it up in no time.”
Secretary Kristi Noem, who is leading a task force to evaluate FEMA reforms, reinforced the administration’s state-first approach. “Emergencies and disasters are always locally executed,” she said. “The state manages them. And then the federal government comes in and supports. What we are doing here, sir, is empowering the state and the local officials to make the best decisions for their people.”
She added: “Thank you for being a president who trusts people.”
“Unity and Competence”
Despite the tragedy and controversy, Trump concluded the roundtable with a focus on what he described as national strength and capability in the face of disaster.
“Two words: Unity and competence. If you were to ask me two words that I've seen here,” he said.
But with more than 170 people still unaccounted for, and survivors continuing to call for accountability, those two words may not be enough to quell the rising public anger.
Our thoughts continue to go out to every family and person impacted by this tragedy.
A convoy of Trump supporters have been recorded surrounding and harassing a Joe Biden campaign bus in Texas, forcing the Democrats to cancel scheduled campaigns.
Per the New York Post, stunned onlookers captured the moment a number of vehicles adorned with Trump flags surrounded a Biden campaign bus along the I-35 highway in Hays County.
Per the Texas Tribune, the confrontation featured "at least one minor collision and led to Texas Democrats canceling three scheduled campaign events on Friday."
The campaign officials cited "safety concerns" for the cancellations.
Law officials have confirmed to the publication that the FBI is now investigating the incident.
A spokesperson for the Biden campaign told the Texas Tribune:
"Rather than engage in productive conversation about the drastically different visions that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have for our country, Trump supporters in Texas instead decided to put our staff, surrogates, supporters, and others in harm’s way."
However, when asked for a comment on the incident, the Texas GOP Chairman Allen West reportedly told the Tribune:
"It is more fake news and propaganda. Prepare to lose ... stop bothering me."
President Donald Trump has also been slammed for his response to the incident, after he shared one clip of the confrontation on Twitter
The POTUS wrote alongside the video: "I LOVE TEXAS!"
And actor Paul Feig responded to Trump's tweet, writing: "Excuse me, you monster. Shouldn’t you be denouncing violence?
"You are unfit, you are a disgrace, you are an insult to the office of the President & you will be forever ridiculed as the worst person to ever hold public office. We cannot wait to send you packing this week."
The New York Post reported that Texas congressional candidate Wendy Davis was on the bus at the time it was surrounded.
Donald Trump has faced harsh criticism over "disrespectful" comments he made regarding the Texas floods.
Credit: Anadolu / Getty Images.
During a Fox News interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, President Donald Trump drew criticism after suggesting that “bells” might have helped prevent the tragic loss of life in the recent catastrophic floods in Central Texas.
When asked what message he had for the families of the 129 people who died in the Kerrville-area floods, Trump responded: “There can be nothing worse than losing a child,” before claiming that there had been “very early warning” in the days and hours leading up to the disaster.
“Maybe they should’ve had bells or something go off,” he added. “It’s pretty dangerous territory when you think of all the times they’ve had this problem.”
Trump’s remarks, described by many online as insensitive and out of touch, came amid growing concerns about his recent public appearances, including what some called a “bizarre” on-air demeanor during the Lara Trump interview.
Critics quickly took to social media to condemn his comments, particularly in light of his administration’s previous cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and early warning systems.
One user posted: “Maybe don’t cut hundreds of NOAA forecasting positions, Mr. President.”
Another wrote: “This makes me ill. Children died, families are in unimaginable pain, and the President says ‘they should’ve had bells’? I hope families sue this ill-prepared government.”
A third added simply: “This is inexcusable. He should resign.”
Adding to the controversy, Trump inaccurately described the flooding as something that “has never happened before,” contradicting the National Weather Service, which has long identified the region as part of “Flash Flood Alley,” one of the most flood-prone areas in the country.
While visiting Kerrville on Friday, Trump also came under fire for his response to a local reporter who questioned the timeliness of emergency warnings. Rather than addressing the concern, he praised first responders and turned on the journalist.
“Only a bad person would ask a question like that,” Trump snapped. “I don’t know who you are, but only an evil person would ask a question like that.”
The floods devastated communities in Texas. Credit: Jim Vondruska / Getty
Despite the backlash, Trump reiterated his support for the local emergency teams: “I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances. This has been heroism. The job you've all done is really incredible.”
The interview and press conference have sparked widespread debate over leadership, preparedness, and accountability during national tragedies.
Devastating time-lapse footage has revealed just how quickly the Texas flash floods consumed the area.
Guadalupe River flooded and surged by up to 30 feet above its usual water level on Friday. Credit: NurPhoto / Getty
At the time of writing, at least 82 people have been confirmed to have died in catastrophic flash flooding across the state, with at least 41 people still missing, per Sky News.
This includes young girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic, a beloved Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River, which held approximately 750 campers.
At Camp Mystic alone, 27 people have died, the camp confirmed in a statement to NBC News.
“This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. Our hearts are broken alongside the families that are enduring this tragedy, and we share their hope and prayers,” Camp Mystic said.
Camp director Dick Eastland died trying to save the campers “he so loved and cared for,” his grandson George shared on social media.
At the time of writing, 10 campers and one counsellor remain missing.
The flooding disaster struck in the early hours on Friday, with water bursting from the Guadalupe River’s banks around 4:00AM, sweeping through Kerr County and beyond, claiming the lives of at least 68 people there, including 28 children.
At least two people died in nearby Kendall County, with six deaths reported in Travis County and four deaths in Burnet County. Williamson and Tom Green counties each reported at least one fatality.
Shocking time-lapse footage has revealed just how quickly the floods took hold of the area.
Amid the devastation, US President Donald Trump signed a “major disaster declaration” for Kerr County to ensure rescuers receive critical resources, as Texas Governor Greg Abbott pledged that rescue crews will work around the clock to locate those still unaccounted for.
“There are people who are missing who are not on the ‘known confirmed missing’ because we do not know who they are,” Governor Abbott said, urging families of people who may have been camping in Kerr County to contact local authorities to help identify who may still be missing.
As families wait for news, police are collecting DNA from relatives to help identify flood victims. Colonel Freeman Martin from the Texas Department of Public Safety shared that multiple “unidentified” victims, both adults and children, are currently at funeral homes.
“We will have rapid DNA in hours, not days, to get some closure and information back to those families,” Colonel Freeman Martin said, adding that the death toll is expected to rise in the coming days.
There are warnings that the situation is not over. Credit: Jim Vondruska / Getty
The tragedy is far from over, as Governor Abbott warned of additional heavy rainfall lasting into Tuesday that could produce “rapid flash flooding events” in already saturated areas.
The governor urged Texans to remain vigilant and to avoid unnecessary travel during the dangerous conditions, warning of the deadly risks of being swept away in floodwaters.
“Rising water on roads can occur very rapidly. You may think you can drive through it, only to find out when you’re in there that it is too late and you are getting swept away,” Abbott said.
“You don’t need to get from point A to point B if you are going to risk your life,” he added, telling people to “turn around, don’t drown.”
Our thoughts continue to go out to every person and family impacted by this tragedy.
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