As Texas reels from catastrophic flooding that has left at least 118 dead and 180 still missing, public outrage is mounting—not only at the devastation, but also at how the Trump administration has responded.
Among the victims are 27 campers and counselors from the all-girls Camp Mystic, as families search for answers in the wake of what some are calling a preventable tragedy. Critics have pointed to President Trump’s decision to lay off over 100 National Weather Service employees earlier this year, a move experts warned would weaken forecast accuracy and endanger lives.
Adding fuel to the fire, First Lady Melania Trump took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer what many felt was a tone-deaf response.
“My heart goes out to the parents in Texas during this difficult time,” she posted on July 5, just hours after being seen celebrating the Fourth of July on a White House balcony. “I am holding you in my thoughts and sending prayers for strength, comfort, and resilience.”
The message was met with swift and scathing backlash online, where many Texans and social media users across the country said that thoughts and prayers weren’t enough—especially in light of the administration’s role in weakening disaster preparedness.
Social Media Users Push Back
“Prayers don’t rebuild homes,” one user replied bluntly.
Another wrote, “How about your husband stop dismantling public safety agencies and start funding them instead?”
“You were just dancing while people were drowning,” someone else pointed out. “Don’t pretend to care now.”
Still others demanded accountability, asking whether Melania would apologize for Trump’s downsizing of the National Weather Service and the impact it may have had on emergency warnings.
“Instead of thoughts and prayers, how about you donate some of the money your family scammed from taxpayers?” another user added.
Critics also took aim at Melania’s perceived detachment. “Melania wouldn’t recognize a real emotion unless a billionaire was behind it,” one tweet read.
As recovery efforts continue in the hardest-hit areas along the Guadalupe River and beyond, frustration remains high—not just over the storm’s toll, but over the government’s response and the seeming disconnect between official statements and on-the-ground realities.
