A string of violent storms hit Tennessee last week, producing 7 tornados that roared through the middle of the state, including downtown Nashville.
A State of Emergency was declared in Tennessee and the damage was devastating, claiming at least 25 lives with at least 2 dozen still missing.
President Trump visited the state on Friday, touring wreckage and comforting people who had lost everything.
He even made time to meet with volunteers.
While it was a somber week for Tennessee as hundreds of families lost everything they owned, Trump’s visit brought hope and inspiration to the state.
Video shows shouts of “Amen!” as victims of the tornado greeted Trump in Tennessee.
See more below:
Tennessee is famously known as the "Volunteer State."
President Trump acknowledged the volunteers helping victims of the deadily tornado, saying that the volunteers have "incredible heart."
The Western Journal has more details on how Tennessee greeted Trump's visit:
President Donald Trump was greeted with shouts of “Amen” on Friday after he spoke with victims of a tornado that slammed through Cookeville, Tennessee.
At least 25 people were killed as multiple tornadoes ripped through middle Tennessee early Tuesday, some packing winds of 165 miles per hour, according to WKYT.
Trump was joined by Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee as he toured the damage. At one point, Trump spoke with those affected by the storm — away from the media, though some snippets of remarks could be heard.
During his meeting with the survivors, many of whom shouted out “Amen” when Trump was done speaking to them, those he met with told him that support goes both ways.
“We’re a big family; we support you,” one man said, according to Breitbart. “We’re going to support you again.”
Trump called the community response to the tragedy “a case study — a case study of what should be done and how it can be done. It’s Tennessee.”
Prior to meeting with survivors, Trump was asked by the media if he had a message for the storms’ survivors.
“Well, I do have a message, and I have a message for the families of those that lost their lives: We love them; they’re special people,” he said.
“It’s an incredible place, incredible state. Tremendous heart. Already, you see people rebuilding. I mean, it took place literally hours ago — a couple of days — and they’re already rebuilding. I’ve never seen — we were flying over; you see the blue roofs going up. It’s all over the place,” Trump added.
“It’s just great people. It’s a great state. And they have great leadership in this state, and that’s why it’s working out like it is. But still, 25 people, at least, and some really very badly hurt. Very, very badly hurt.
While the Democrats and the media paint Trump as a "divider," it's truly telling that people hurting after a disaster view Trump someone who cares for all citizens, especially those who are suffering.
Tennesseeans were certainly inspired by Trump's visit.
See footage of the presidential motorcade arriving:
Though Fox News was able to get close and though the White House streamed footage of the visit, reporters were kept away for most of the time.
Why?
The President clearly did not want this to turn into a photo-opp or to be perceived as one.
Some of these people lost everything they had.
These were sensitive and at times painful conversations with the victims, and he wanted to protect their privacy as well as their grief.
Breitbart confirms the shouts of "Amens!" and has more details on the visit:
President Donald Trump met with victims and families on Friday in Tennessee after a series of tornadoes hit Nashville and surrounding towns.
Reporters were kept away from hearing his full conversations with the group of storm victims and members of their families, but as Trump spoke privately to the group of people, many of them began applauding and shouted “Amen!” according to footage streamed live by White House press cameras.
At another point in the conversation, Trump pointed at the sky, as he typically does when referring to God or a loved one who has passed away.
“We’re a big family; we support you,” one man said to Trump as the others agreed. “We’re going to support you again.”
At least 25 people were killed in the storms.
The president also met survivors at the Jefferson Avenue Church Of Christ in Cookeville, where a crowd of about 100 people from the area was gathered with emergency supplies for those affected by the storm.
“This is inspiring to see the way it all came together,” Trump said. “Even all of this — Churches of Christ — tremendous amounts of food and goods, and it all came within a matter of hours.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) joined the president as well as other local officials and Gov. Bill Lee (R), who led the group in prayer.
“It’s a case study — a case study of what should be done and how it can be done,” Trump replied. “It’s Tennessee.”
“The Volunteer State,” Blackburn added.
We are proud to have a president who respects the dignity of life and has a heart for every citizen in this great country!
Voters across the country are loving Trump's message, and the reaction to the president despite a natural disaster shows that he truly has the people's trust and support.
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