Amid Backlash and Owing Money, Trump Heads to El Paso and Dayton
Trump to meet with victims and first responders, despite a harsh response from local leadership and owing a lot of money
Trump will travel to El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio on Wednesday to offer his condolences and support to survivors, first responders and local officials in the wake of the mass shootings that have left 31 dead. This announcement comes on the heels of a disastrous press statement on Monday where Trump stated “we must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” but refused to take any responsibility for the hate-fueled rhetoric he has used all along leading up to this moment. Given the complete lack of remorse for his own role in the political climate and his unwillingness to commit to a real change in his own behavior, it would be more honest for the President to take a page out of his wife’s playbook for this trip and wear a statement jacket saying he doesn't really care.
During his statements at the White House on Monday, he blamed the internet, social media, video games, and mental illness, calling for increased use of involuntary commitment. He had even blamed the press for the shootings on Twitter earlier in the day. Completely absent was the recognition of his role in fueling the hatred he was eager to speak about. Also missing was an explanation for why he chose to continue his stay all weekend at his private Bedminster golf club and not return to the White House to immediately address the public once news of the shootings was known.
According to the few details Kellyanne Conway has so far provided reporters, Trump’s itinerary will be similar to other visits in the wake of mass shootings or natural disasters. We’ve not heard details about what these meetings will include, but given his propensity for impromptu and confounding remarks, let’s just hope paper towels are not involved. Per Trump’s personal update Wednesday morning on the White House lawn, he will travel first to Dayton, then to El Paso and the First Lady will accompany him.
Many local leaders have expressed apprehension about his impending visit and they are not sure how helpful his attendance will be for the grieving communities. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley told reporters that she was disappointed with his statements from the White House on Monday and that “his rhetoric has been painful for many in our community.” She also encouraged the people of Dayton who are unhappy over Trump’s upcoming visit to the city to protest saying, “I think people should stand up and say they’re not happy if they’re not happy he’s coming.”
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) urged the president and his team “to consider the fact that his words and his actions have played a role in this” during a television appearance on Monday. Escobar, whose district includes the Walmart store where 22 were killed, has been outspoken about her wishes for Trump to stay away saying, “From my perspective, he is not welcome here. He should not come here while we are in mourning.” Escobar has also confirmed via Twitter that she will not be available to meet with Donald Trump during his visit to El Paso and Beto O’Rourke also stated that he will not be participating in the presidential visit.
An uneasy sentiment seems to have extended across the aisle. Republican El Paso Mayor Dee Margo told press on Monday that he would welcome Trump in an official capacity to ask him “to support our efforts with any and all federal resources that are available.” He also cautioned Trump on his previous rhetoric about the border town saying, “I will continue to challenge any harmful and inaccurate statements made about El Paso. We will not allow anyone to portray El Paso in a way that is not consistent with our history and values.”
Trump Also Owes El Paso a Lot of Money
In addition to the hesitation on the part of public officials to welcome Trump for a visit following the shootings, there is a substantial outstanding debt to El Paso from Trump. In February, the Trump campaign created a $500,000 debt when Trump held a political rally to make his case for a border wall. The trip incurred several police and public safety-related costs that were billed to the Trump campaign by the municipal government. According to reporting from The Center for Public Integrity and the subsequent invoices they’ve reviewed, the city of El Paso initially billed the Trump campaign $470,417.05 in reimbursement fees for costs stemming from the Trump rally event at the County Coliseum. When the Trump Campaign had not remitted the fees after 30 days, they were notified by the city comptroller that a 21% collection fee of nearly $100,000 would be added to the account. The current total still owing on the El Paso invoice for police and security services related to the Trump Rally still stands at $569,204.63.
Trump’s campaign has also incurred bills for police and other public safety costs associated with a “Make America Great Again” rally on October 12, 2018, in Lebanon, Ohio, which is about 20 miles south of Dayton. Those public costs still remain unpaid as of this week and total $16,191. Although the City of Lebanon has not factored in any additional interest costs like the ones from El Paso, the bill is nearly nine months overdue. Despite owing both of these municipalities thousands of dollars, Trump intends to travel to both locations and there is no evidence that the campaign has attempted to rectify these debts, even at the last minute.
Given that Trump’s last visit to El Paso involved the above exchange with his supporters, the public reaction could be problematic. It’s clear that he’s not terribly concerned with doing what is best for these communities who are still dealing with the fallout from these tragedies hour by hour. It’s hard to imagine that he will be able to resist an opportunity to brag about his wall or to discuss immigration given the fact that they make up the majority of his talking points. Hopefully we can get through tomorrow without any more permanent damage, considering the volatile state of things that the President of the United States only seems to worsen.
I would say let’s hope he sticks to the script, but given his inability to read from the prompter, it doesn’t look good. It’s a powder keg wrapped up in a photo-op that no one in America has the heart for, in part because it feels like we are watching Trump return to the scene of the crime to sign his work.
Update: Trump spent time visiting with people affected by the mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso, but denied access to the White House traveling press, who was unable to document or photograph any of the meetings. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters that “It wasn’t about a photo-op for the president and the first lady,” and then his team put out a highly edited campaign video with a montage of the entire event. A surviving baby, whose parents had both been killed to protect him, was brought back to the hospital after being discharged just to take the photo below.
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Amee Vanderpool writes the “Shero” Newsletter and is an attorney, contributor to Playboy Magazine, analyst for BBC radio and Director of The Inanna Project. She can be reached at avanderpool@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @girlsreallyrule.