President Donald Trump avoided a tough question Sunday about whether federal budget cuts made by his administrtion may have contributed to the deadly floods in Texas that killed at least 89 people.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump appeared to hear questions just fine—until one reporter brought up the federal cuts.
“Democrats are blaming your federal cuts for the deaths over in Texas,” the reporter said loudly.
Trump leaned in, then backed off. “I can’t hear you,” he replied, before quickly moving on to a different reporter.
Pressed later about whether staff cuts at the National Weather Service and FEMA left critical roles empty, Trump deflected responsibility and pointed the finger at President Joe Biden.
“They didn’t,” he said. “I’ll tell you: You look at that water situation, that was really the Biden setup. That was not our setup.”
He added: “I would just say this is a hundred-year catastrophe, and it’s just so horrible to watch.”
When asked directly whether any of the fired meteorologists should be rehired, Trump didn’t give a straight answer.
“I wouldn’t know that. I really wouldn’t. I would think not,” he said. “This was a thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it, nobody saw it. Very talented people are there and they didn’t see it.”
But the National Weather Service said otherwise. The agency confirmed it had issued flash flood warnings several hours before the disaster.
“Flash Flood Warnings were also issued on the night of July 3 and in the early morning of July 4, giving preliminary lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding conditions occurred,” a spokesperson told The Daily Beast.
Trump said he plans to visit Texas “probably on Friday,” adding, “We’re working very close with representatives from Texas. And it’s a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible.”
He gave no sign of taking responsibility.
Trump Dodges Question on Federal Cuts Amid Texas Flood Deaths
As devastating floods claim lives in Texas, a reporter asked U.S. President Donald Trump:
“Democrats are blaming your federal cuts for the deaths over in Texas.”Trump’s response:
“I can’t hear you,” he said,… pic.twitter.com/VQtFVkjCOc
— The Asian Chronicle (@AsianChronicle) July 7, 2025
