President Donald Trump has crafted a social media post regarding the severe storms and flooding that have impacted Washington state but has yet to publish it online. The details came to light when Eric Trump shared an image through his Instagram story that showed his father in the Oval Office with a sheet labeled “DRAFT TRUTH” resting under his hand.
The draft message outlines specific actions taken by the Trump administration in response to the natural disaster, which began on December 9 and has led to significant property damage and disruption. In the draft, Trump expresses his concern for the affected individuals: “Earlier today, to protect the great people of Washington, I approved an immediate Disaster Declaration, Emergency Protection Measures, and Direct Federal Assistance to SAVE LIVES,” the post begins.
In addition to saying that federal resources have been deployed, the draft states, “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected. Please Thank you for your attention to the matter.” Although Trump officially declared a state of emergency for Washington on December 12, he has chosen not to share this message on Truth Social.
Instead, the president has recently been preoccupied with other matters, such as showcasing new decor in the West Wing, including bronze lettering in the Presidential Walk of Fame. In a somewhat puzzling move, Trump also mistakenly announced that a suspect related to a shooting incident at Brown University was in custody, only to later retract the statement.
Washington state has seen a substantial humanitarian impact from the storms, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 100,000 residents, as noted by The New York Times. Interestingly, back in October, Trump’s interactions with his staff suggested a keen awareness of the importance of timely social media communication. During one instance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed Trump a note urging him to approve a post in order to announce a deal swiftly, highlighting the president’s focus on social media engagement even amidst pressing national issues.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for commentary regarding the unshared draft but has not yet received a response. The situation underscores the duality of presidential priorities, where immediate disaster response can sometimes be overshadowed by the allure of social media messaging.