A former President Donald Trump campaign bigwig had a social media meltdown Friday over reporting about the impact Hurricane Helene could have on swing states.
Chris LaCivita, one of Trump's 2024 campaign managers, was not angry about the more than 200 lives lost in the catastrophic storm or the thousands of people struggling to find basic necessities such as water.
LaCivita was angry about new report on what the storm did to Trump's chances in key swing states.
"[Politico] is a trash publication," LaCivita wrote on X. "This headline shows how much they hate America …never forget it."
The headline — "Helene's next victim could be Trump's vote in 2 key swing states" — appears on a report about the impact Hurricane Helene could have on voter turnout in North Carolina and Georgia.
“In a state like North Carolina where margins matter, then every little tweak to the electorate could be the tweak that makes the difference,” said Chris Cooper, a political scientist at Western Carolina University.
“It’s right on the razor’s edge between red and blue.”
ALSO READ: The menstrual police are coming: Inside the GOP's plan for total control over women
Trump in recent days has pushed Hurricane Helene rhetoric to the forefront with a series of criticisms targeting the Federal Emergency Management Agency and President Joe Biden's administration that experts say do not stand up to fact.
He's also managed to anger locals such as North Carolina-based reporter Billy Ball, who recently lambasted the Republican nominee's decision to politicize a national tragedy.
"It’s a tragedy in real time," said Ball. "You would think the partisan hacks would give it a rest while people are dead, dying, or missing. But folks out here were only spared the election gimmicks for about 100 hours."
On Friday, LaCivita also responded to news that a drag queen could pursue legal action against Trump over an appearance, without permission, in an ad he said caused pain by attacking queer and trans people.
"OOPS," LaCivita replied.