Out of town pool note #9 - roundtable ends, and rolling

President Trump spoke, followed briefly by Melania, then Gov Abbott and Sec Noem.

He variously described the Texas floods as once in 100 years, once in 500 years and once in 1,000 years.

POTUS said about the floodwaters: “This is like a giant, giant wave in the Pacific Ocean, that the best surfers in the world would be afraid to surf”

Earlier: “I’ve been to a lot of hurricanes and tornadoes and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“The First Lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood. Nobody has any idea how and why a thing like this could happen.”

“My administration is doing everything in its power to help Texas”

Melania spoke briefly at POTUS’s invitation

“My deepest sympathy to parents who lost beautiful young souls”

“I will be back, I promise to them”

POTUS asked TV personality Dr Phil, who was sitting near him whose company is based in Fort Worth TX, to give some “words of wisdom”. Dr Phil said that the “number one stressor in life is the loss of a child.”

POTUS took a handful of questions, calling one a reporter a ‘very evil person’ for

asking about criticisms regarding flood warnings and preparations.

Trump then did a rope line of dozens of emergency workers in the next door room, which had a huge Texas flag on the wall.

“This is as tough as we’ve seen….

The governor is doing a very good job, you’re doing a phenomenal job and we appreciate it,” Trump told them.

Pool was ushered out halfway through the rope line and motorcade is now rolling.

Danny Kemp

AFP White House correspondent

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@dannyctkemp