Today is the second anniversary of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, of a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials. Asked if he was going to travel to East Palestine to survey the damage, President Joe Biden explained that he'd already done "a whole video" on Zoom. A reported reminded Biden of East Palestine in September of 2023, but Biden said he hadn't had the occasion to visit because "there's a lot going on." At last, the White House announced that Biden would stop by in February of 2024. Biden dropped in on February 16, more than a year since the derailment of 38 cars carrying hazardous materials.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to East Palestine on February 23, 2023 — a day after former President Donald Trump visited the area.
So former president Donald Trump visited to survey the damage just short of a year before President Biden.
Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to East Palestine Monday on the second anniversary of the derailment.
🚨 #BREAKING: VP JD Vance has just arrived at the site of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 3, 2025
He’s joined by Sen. @berniemoreno and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
Trump and Vance PROMISED to never forget the people of East Palestine, and just two weeks into their… pic.twitter.com/XaJZuycHLw
… two weeks into their administration, they’re already back there.
Promises made, promises kept!
No, the Trump administration didn't forget about East Palestine.
Whoa. This administration is hyper focused on making sure people are not forgotten.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) February 3, 2025
This is amazing.
They’re making that very clear, given they’ve also hit Western NC, California, Helene-stricken Virginia towns, and more.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 3, 2025
All in just TWO WEEKS!
This is what leadership looks like
— Alpha-Bravo (@aburk203) February 3, 2025
The forgotten people of America are forgotten no more
— One Bad Dude (@OneBadDude_) February 3, 2025
Joy Behar of "The View" implied that the people of East Palestine deserved the chemical spill for having voted for Trump — "Donald Trump, who reduces all safety."
Good! Finally, an actual interest in middle America.
— NoNonsensePolitics (@NoNonsensePrepp) February 3, 2025
God damn it’s good to finally have real leadership.
— Sid Kingsley (@SidKingsley) February 3, 2025
Vance got a warmer welcome than Biden did when residents held up signs reading “TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE," “WE NEED TRUMP,” and “IMPEACH JOE!”
Not forgotten.
***
Join the conversation as a VIP Member