On a Thursday broadcast of The View, show host Joy Behar appeared to claim that Americans living in East Palestine, Ohio, a small community that has suffered greatly following the Norfolk Southern train derailment and ensuing toxic chemical burnings, had it coming as many of them dared to support former President Donald Trump.
“I don’t know why they would ever vote for him,” Behar said. “For somebody, who, by the way, he placed someone with deep ties to the chemical industry in charge of the EPA’s Chemical Safety Office.” Behar then looked and pointed straight at the camera, adding, “That’s who you voted for in that district. Donald Trump, who reduces all safety. He did.”
Behar appeared to imply that the residents of East Palestine are clueless idealogues, explaining, “it seems to me that the Republicans are obsessed with this notion of the free market and they don’t like a lot of regulations” and “We have to pay for regulation and safety standards.”
American journalist Jack Posibiec posted a clip of the exchange on Twitter.
BREAKING: Joy Behar says East Palestine got what they deserved because they voted for Trump
"That's who you voted for!" pic.twitter.com/xbYOlfkVCu
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 23, 2023
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin chimed in noting, “Norfolk Southern gives as much to Democrats as Republicans. It’s a very powerful lobby.” She also admitted that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s arguably delayed visit to the town was an “unforced error.”
Buttigieg notably has caught some flack for his response to the derailment, both earlier this month and now.
One exchange showed the transportation secretary being confronted on Thursday by journalist Savanah Hernandez, who asked why he had not taken the trip sooner. Buttigieg’s press secretary repeatedly claimed she would only answer the question off-camera and complained Hernandez was “aggressive” with her questioning.
Griffin highlighted that the small Ohio town is “Trump country,” with the former president beating Joe Biden in East Palestine by a margin of 40%.
Former President Trump notably visited the suffering community before Buttigieg, offering support to local residents while also donating supplies of food and water.
During a trip to McDonald’s, Trump asked, “So is everybody willing to accept free food from Trump?”
One person can be heard responding enthusiastically, “I’ll take it.”
"So is everybody willing to accept free food from Trump?" asks the former president while at the McDonalds in #EastPalestineOhio . Buys police and firefighters food after making remarks about the train derailment #fox8 #TrainDerailment #Trump #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/UOFfB86WRV
— Elizabeth Noreika (@enoreikaTV) February 22, 2023
