President Donald Trump’s team built a small brick wall around him for an event at a hurricane-ravaged business in Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday.
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 saw the damage to the Chez What furniture store, a brick building that was crushed by the storm, scattering bricks all over the ground.
Bricks from the building were used to build a barrier around Trump’s podium, a small structure about three to four feet high.
Trump and his political allies spoke about the storm from behind the wall.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, prays as he accompanies Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump, on a visit to the Chez What furniture store, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Chez What Furniture store is seen after sustaining damage during Hurricane Helene
“Valdosta has been devastated, the city is hard hit and many thousands of people are without power, they are running out of food and fuel,” Trump said.
Trump’s images sparked a reaction on social media, with some finding it funny and others reacting with disgust.
“Lmao someone BUILT A WALL around Trump in Valdosta from the broken brick building,” said one social media user. wrote.
Others were angry that someone wasted time building the wall so Trump could take a “picture.”
Republican presidential candidate former US President Donald Trump listens to a question while visiting the Chez What furniture store, which was damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Former President of the United States and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump analyzes the consequences of Hurricane Helene
“Trump went to take a photo in Valdosta, Georgia where they still don’t have power and he had to spot the recovery efforts for his visit and built him a podium out of bricks from the building behind him smh,” another user said. wrote.
The former president took a moment during his speech to pause for prayer and promised to help communities rebuild.
“We will emerge stronger, more united and more prosperous than ever,” Trump said, adding that he and others would “pray to God for those who have been so seriously hurt” 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 their homes, businesses, friends and loved ones.”
“It will take an army of volunteers and people to respond,” he said.