Trump holds roundtable in Kerr County following deadly flooding

President Donald Trump arrived in Kerrville on Friday for a firsthand look at the devastation left behind in the wake of catastrophic floods that ripped through Kerr County on July 4.

It’s a common practice for presidents visiting disaster sites to tour the damage by air, a move that can ease the logistical burdens on authorities on the ground.

Air Force One landed in San Antonio before Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made their way to the Kerrville airport.

The president received a briefing from officials in Kerrville, where he was joined by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.

The Trumps met with local officials and first responders who are navigating the aftermath of the flash flood.

After surveying the destruction, the president attended a roundtable discussion on the Texas flooding with state officials.

"This is a tough one," Trump said. "We were just making a little tour of the area, it's hard to believe the devastation.”

He said he visited with some grieving families, and this disaster site is unlike the ones he's visited before.

“They’ve been devastated,” the president said. “They lost their child, or two children, and it’s just hard to believe.”

Trump told the table of local and state officials that he and the first lady arrived in town to "express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation.”

He also praised the first responders, sheriff and other law enforcement for all they've done during rescue operations and recovery efforts.

“My administration is doing everything in its power to help Texas,” Trump said.

Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said more than 12,300 volunteers arrived to help support the community, working 10 hours a day, and that 19 other states have sent resources to help Texas overcome the floods.

Abbott thanked the Trump administration for responding in a swift and coordinated way.

“We’re going to rebuild this community, from Hunt to Camp Mystic to Kerrville down below,” Abbott said. “We are committed for the long run, not just to rebuild, but to rebuild in a better way.”

As the floor was opened to questions, a journalist from CBS News asked Trump about flood warnings and whether they could have potentially saved more lives had they been sent out earlier.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions have been raised about whether adequate warnings were provided and why people weren't evacuated ahead of the deluge.

“Well, I think everybody did an incredible job under the circumstances,” Trump said. ”Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you. I don’t know who you are. But only a very evil person would ask a question like that.”

Abbott praised the federal response to the Texas flooding.

“We would not have been able to do that the way that we have had it not been for you, your commitment to Texas," Abbott said. "I know you love Texas, and Texas loves you. We appreciate you showing up, and because of your swift and effective response we are better positioned to deliver on all those commitments than ever before."

There is a special session on Monday, July 21, where state officials will work legislatively to address every challenge, he said.

This article was originally published in in the July 12, 2025 edition of the Kerrville Daily Times.