The Trumps' Baffling Visit To Texas, Explained

Hurricane Harvey has made history in just the past five days with record-setting rainfall and difficult (as of yet) to measure damage throughout the Gulf Coast region. Americans have been watching closely to see how President Donald Trump handles this test of leadership — but after a few tweets, and finally, during his visit to Texas, came a storm of controversy.

POTUS and FLOTUS touched down in Texas on Tuesday — and here's everything that's happened since then:

Trump has not once mentioned or talked to any victims—yet.

According to The Washington Post, Trump spoke to a large crowd of people upon landing in Corpus Christi. So, that's what he talked to them about: "I just want to say: We love you. You are special. . . . What a crowd. What a turnout,” he said.

Some of his supporters were there with signs and he was also wearing a USA hat (that sells for just $40 on his website). The short speech matched the attitude of Trump's tweets leading up to the visit — tonally funky. 

Rescue operations are being launched and, according to The Washington Post, at least 9 people have been reported dead. Houston's major airports have been closed and the area is seeing terrible flooding.

But Trump has failed, so far, comment on any of the victims, deaths, rescue missions, or places to donate money and supplies.

The Internet was furious about Melania's shoes.

The New York Times said it best: "When is a shoe not just a shoe? When it is a pair of very high, needle-thin heels worn by the first lady of the United States on her way to the site of a natural disaster." 

To give Mrs. Trump some credit, she did change into sneakers when they arrived. However, no one is sure why she wore stilettos in the first place. It seems like the team surrounding her didn't think it would be a problem. Her communication's director said “It’s sad that we have an active and ongoing natural disaster in Texas, and people are worried about her shoes.”

No one is particularly worried about her shoes, just worried about the message she's sending. 

Trump met with officials to talk recovery plans.

According to CBS News, Trump went to Austin the same day to meet with Texas Senators and officials from the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Operations Center to go over plans ofr recovery. Trump has concluded that the recovery will be "long term," which isn't saying much.

Critics of Trump were quick to compare his performance reacting to a national-scale tragedy to those of his predecessors, noting that the human connection to the tragedy is still — at least on the surface-level — lacking. 

However, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has commented that the president's soft side is just not being demonstrated in front of the cameras and insisted that president has been  plenty helpful to the Lone Star State.

"Behind the scenes the president has shown character and compassion," Abbott said. "He helped get Texas prepared."