Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine, Ohio, pledging that the people there and in the surrounding areas will not be forgotten in the wake of the train derailment that occurred earlier this month.
Some of the train cars were carrying hazardous materials, and in the aftermath of the wreck, a controlled burn of vinyl chloride from several cars was carried out.
The former president indicated that he is donating “thousands” of water bottles, “Trump water actually, most of it,” he said.
The Associated Press reported that before departing, Trump went to a McDonalds where he gave away hats, ordered food for first responders, and got some food some for the flight home. “Thank you for not forgetting about us,” a woman told Trump, according to the outlet.
Trump’s visit to the area came after President Joe Biden, who has yet to visit the region, had recently visited the war-torn nation of Ukraine, which has been striving to defend itself against a Russian invasion since last year.
Trump announced last year that he is seeking the presidency again. But the former president will face competition during the GOP presidential primary. Last week, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who served in that role during a portion of Trump’s White House tenure, announced her own presidential bid. On Tuesday, Vivek Ramaswamy announced that he is running for president. Other figures may also enter the race in the coming months.
Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw has pledged to the East Palestine community that the company “will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive.”
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