A senior official in the incoming Trump administration is saying that Trump’s visit to East Palestine, Ohio after the train derailment and toxic chemical spill was the moment that put him on a path to victory in the 2024 election.
It’s an interesting argument. Millions of Americans did see Trump respond quickly while Joe Biden ignored the incident and the people it affected. Pete Buttigieg only showed up once it started to become clear that the Biden administration didn’t care.
The people of East Palestine and the town’s mayor were very happy to see Trump when he visited. It was as clear as day that it was Trump who mattered.
FOX News reports:
Senior Trump official reveals visit that set ‘trajectory’ for election victory
A top Team Trump official disclosed the moment that “really set the campaign on a trajectory to victory” – the day President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Columbiana County, Ohio, to survey the East Palestine train derailment.
“The ripples from that day do not get enough attention,” White House communications director-designate Steven Cheung said on X, formerly Twitter, in retweeting an op-ed making that assertion.
In February 2023, a Norfolk-Southern train hauling caustic industrial chemicals – including vinyl chloride – derailed in a small community near the Pennsylvania border, causing immediate chaos and long-lasting, widespread damage to the region.
A controlled burn held shortly after the derailment released toxic phosgene into the air.
On February 23 – Ash Wednesday – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, hosted Trump at the site, where the former and future president highlighted Americans “forgotten” by President Joe Biden – who had not yet shown up and would not visit for several more months.
See Steven Cheung’s tweet below:
100%
This was the moment that really set the campaign on a trajectory to victory. The ripples from that day do not get enough attention. https://t.co/S7jdhONyFv
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung) December 13, 2024
This is what it looked like when Trump arrived in East Palestine. People were excited to see him.
The entire town of East Palestine came out to welcome President Trump. Before he announced his visit, FEMA refused aid and Biden was ignoring the ecological crisis. This is leadership! pic.twitter.com/IpUBcjUuBG
— @amuse (@amuse) February 22, 2023
Trump to East Palestine, Ohio residents: “You are not forgotten … We stand with you” pic.twitter.com/kHy7VqqnBI
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 22, 2023
People respond to real leadership. This was certainly a moment when Trump reminded the American people that he is a leader.
