Not known for subtlety, billionaire developer and potential 2016 Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump waited about an hour before inserting himself and politics into the tragic Amtrak derailment outside of Philadelphia that left at least 5 people dead.
The train derailed just after 9:30 pm eastern time. At 10:33, Trump tweeted:
Amtrak crash near Philadelphia, train derails -many hurt, some badly. Our country has horrible infrastructure problems. Pols can't solve!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2015
The response on the social media site was less than positive:
https://twitter.com/YoBigBrotha/status/598315855211036673
How about we pray for the families and first responders first. Train derailments aren't meant to be political? Thanks! @realDonaldTrump
— Ashley (@ItsMeAshleyWee) May 13, 2015
Those were two of the “clean” responses to Trumps original tweet.
Not done, and not heeding the advice of those who asked he no politicize an ongoing tragedy, Trump tweeted two more times:
The only one to fix the infrastructure of our country is me – roads, airports, bridges. I know how to build, pols only know how to talk!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2015
Remember, politicians are all talk and NO action. Our country is a laughing stock that is going to hell. The lobbyists & donors control all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2015
Trump has said he is seriously considering a run for the Republican nomination.