Trump very reassuringly calls Hurricane Michael a 'massive tornado'


President Trump is still getting the hang of being the nation's comforter-in-chief.
Trump gave some not-so-reassuring comments shortly before Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida on Wednesday. CNN reports that Trump was asked by the press to send a message to those in the storm's path.
"I say God bless you all," said Trump. "That's my message because that's what it is. The storm is there. It's sort of too late to do that now, from the standpoint of moving."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So there you have it: It is what it is. Or is it? Trump also reportedly called the storm a "massive tornado," which is a completely different kind of storm. The president was similarly comforting last month, when he said Hurricane Florence was poised to be "tremendously big and tremendously wet." The federal government helped in that case, he said, "because we have no choice."
FEMA Director Brock Long on Wednesday said that it's now too late for Floridians to evacuate before the worst of Michael hits. Trump expressed sadness that not everyone had left in time. "You have people that are stuck," he said, "they're just stuck there." But not to worry, he concluded on a more positive note: "They will be okay. They are strong, smart, wonderful people."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
The seven strangest historical discoveries made in 2025
The Explainer From prehistoric sunscreen to a brain that turned to glass, we've learned some surprising new facts about human history
-
Sudoku hard: June 19, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Crossword: June 19, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein