KERRVILLE, TEXAS — President Donald Trump visited Central Texas on Friday, pledging the full force of the federal government to support communities devastated by the deadly July 4 floods. Touring flood-hit areas in Kerrville alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Governor Greg Abbott, Trump said his administration is doing “everything in its power to help Texas” recover from the disaster.
The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall that pushed the Guadalupe River beyond its banks, have killed at least 120 people, with 160 others still missing. Trump described the devastation as unlike anything he had ever seen.
“Trees that are 100 years old just ripped out of the ground,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, and I’ve seen a lot of bad ones.”
During a 47-minute roundtable, Trump met with state and local officials, emergency responders, and grieving families. He offered condolences to parents who lost their children at Camp Mystic, a girls’ camp hit hard by the rising waters. “Nobody has any idea how and why a thing like this could happen,” he said. “So many young angels taken too soon.”
First Responders Applauded for Heroic Efforts
The president praised the rapid response by emergency personnel, saying more than 400 federal first responders had been deployed and over 1,500 rescues had been carried out. “The people here — first responders, law enforcement, the sheriff’s office — they’ve done an unbelievable job,” Trump said.
As Trump and Melania surveyed the damage near the Guadalupe River, they saw overturned tractors, uprooted trees, and plastic debris littering the area. Residents stood outside strip malls and along roadways, waving as the presidential motorcade passed by.
Wearing a white “USA” cap, Trump nodded solemnly during briefings from Governor Abbott and local officials. Melania, moved by the grief in the community, wore a bracelet given to her in memory of the campers who died. “I will be back. I promise,” she told families, offering her “deepest sympathies.”
Hearts Shattered, but Community Resilient
“All across the country, Americans’ hearts are shattered,” Trump said during his visit. “We’re filled with grief and devastation at the loss of life. And unfortunately, they’re still looking. There’s a lot of missing children.”
The first lady echoed the sentiment, assuring families that the entire nation was mourning with them. “We are grieving with you,” she said.
Despite the immense loss, Trump emphasized resilience and unity. “Texans are strong people,” he said. “We’re going to rebuild. And we’re going to be stronger than ever.”
Trump Deflects Criticism, Focuses on Relief
Trump also used the visit to push back against Democratic criticism over his administration’s cuts to the National Weather Service, which some claim delayed flood warnings on July 4. When asked by a reporter about the issue, Trump appeared frustrated and shifted focus back to recovery efforts.
“This is not the time for politics,” he said sharply. “We’re here to help. That’s what matters.”
His handling of the Texas disaster marks a stark contrast to earlier responses to natural calamities in Democrat-led states. In previous years, Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom over wildfire management and President Joe Biden over hurricane relief delays. This time, however, the president avoided assigning blame.
“We are united in this moment,” he said. “Texas will get what it needs.”
As search and rescue operations continue and the full toll of the floods becomes clear, federal and state officials say recovery will take months. But for now, Trump’s message is simple: help is here, and more is coming.
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