Forget bulletproof glass: Trump has a mini brick wall built around him during remarks in hurricane-devastated Georgia
President Donald Trump’s team built a small brick wall around him Monday for an event at a hurricane-destroyed business in Valdosta, Georgia.
Trump and his Republican allies visited the city to highlight the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which hit the area as a Category 4 storm.
The former president surveyed the damage at the Chez What furniture store, a brick building that was crushed by the storm, sending bricks strewn across the ground.
The building’s stones were used to build a barrier around Trump’s podium, a small structure about three feet high.
Trump and his political allies talked about the storm from behind the wall.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, offers a prayer as he accompanies Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to Chez What Furniture Store, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene
Chez What Furniture store is seen after being damaged during Hurricane Helene
“Valdosta is devastated, the city is hurting and many thousands are without power, running out of food and fuel,” Trump said.
The images of Trump sparked a backlash on social media, as some found it funny and others reacted with disgust.
“Lmao someone built a wall around Trump in Valdosta from the broken brick building,” a social media user wrote.
Others were angry that someone had wasted time building the wall so Trump could get a “photo op.”
Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, listens to a question while visiting Chez What Furniture Store, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene
Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks at the aftermath of Hurricane Helene
“Trump went to take a photo in Valdosta, Georgia where they still have no power and had to spot recovery efforts for his visit and built a stage for him out of bricks from the building behind him,” another user wrote.
The former president took time during his speech to pause for a moment of prayer and pledged to help communities rebuild.
“We will emerge stronger, more united and more prosperous than ever before,” Trump said, adding that he and others would “pray to God for those who have been so deeply injured” and “those who are no longer with us.” ‘
Pastor Franklin Graham said the destroyed brick building “represents the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost homes, businesses, friends and loved ones.”
“It’s going to take an army of volunteers and people to respond,” he said.