Biden Transportation Secretary Pete “I’m taking some personal time” Buttigieg, in an interview with CNN published Sunday, blasted critics over his handling of last month’s toxic train wreck in East Palestine, Ohio. Tapping into the East Coast elite, she advocated touring the derailed scene in designer dress shoes.
Buttigieg East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 23, 2023, Poole photo.
Buttigieg singled out President Trump and Fox News Channel prime-time host Tucker Carlson during his hissy fit interview with CNN, swearing at one point (excerpt):
“Former presidents, these Fox hosts β literally lifelong card-carrying members of the East Coast elite, whose top economic policy priority has always been tax cuts for the rich, and it’s really rich to see who wants it. If their lives depended on it, TJ Max wouldn’t know his way around the country. presenting themselves as genuinely concerned about the forgotten middle,” said the transport secretary. “Do you think Tucker Carlson knows the difference between TJ Maxx and Kohl’s?”
The secretary visited eastern Palestine a day after former President Donald Trump was in town, calling out President Joe Biden for not making his own visit and blaming the administration’s response.
Trump’s visit is “a little bit crazy β not just the rail safety regulations, but the EPA, the number one thing standing between that community and the complete loss of accountability for Norfolk Southern. And then show up handing out bottled water and campaign swag?
As with any suggestion by Trump or supporters, the former president’s trip to eastern Palestine pressured him to go: “That’s bull–,” Buttigieg said. “We were just leaving.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured the site of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. pic.twitter.com/Jaz4jHXmvf
β Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) February 23, 2023
These shoes are made for stamping. Buttigieg became emotional when the choice of footwear for a visit to East Palestine was mentioned:
He said the attention to the shoes Buttigieg was wearing when he visited a day later was “crazy”.
His voice tightened.
“Who cares what shoes I’m wearing when I’m there to call attention to an agenda to save lives on our railroads?” Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg appears in Berluti boots and skinny jeans just π§πΌβπ³π€πΌ pic.twitter.com/98a9uYZD5w
β βοΈLouLou πΎπΎ (@Flaaaaaala) February 23, 2023
Is he wearing dress shoes? π§ pic.twitter.com/oylWHIIj1m
β Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) February 23, 2023
Pete Buttigieg mocked for showing off trendy boots during Ohio train derailment https://t.co/5WF1sMMmDg pic.twitter.com/EwerUHaiZw
β New York Post (@nypost) February 24, 2023
During a trip to East Palestine, Trump bought meals for police and firefighters at a local McDonald’s, telling the cashier, “”Do I know this menu better than you? Probably knows better than anyone here.
“So everyone is willing to accept free food from Trump?” asks the former president while at McDonald’s #EastPalestine Ohio . Police and firemen buy food after making statements about train derailment #Fox8 #Train derailment #Trump #DonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/UOFfB86WRV
β Elizabeth Noreika (@enoreikaTV) February 22, 2023
Carlson last month called for Buttigieg to be fired.
Tucker Carlson blasts those responsible for the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio:
“The people whose indifference made it possible should lose their jobs, starting with Pete Buttigieg.” pic.twitter.com/LPwlHH7X3w
β The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 16, 2023
CNN noted that the Biden administration is standing by their man:
“Buttigieg doesn’t have to worry about being fired β whether it’s a sickening attack on his family or disrespecting the community’s pain with failed attempts to exploit it as political props, nothing loses credibility like following more debunked smears,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.
Buttigieg’s husband, Chasten Buttigieg, defended Secretary Peet last month by attacking Tucker Carlson, whose 1991 college yearbook headline resurfaced in April 2021.
Disinformation agents who embrace or work for a man who hailed the assassination of one of America’s first LGBTQ politicians deserve no one’s time. https://t.co/B7T8twd5q8
β Chastain Buttigieg (@Chastain) February 23, 2023
Carlson didn’t deny the yearbook title, but downplayed it when it was reported.
It certainly sounds like Tucker is trying to push an embarrassing story here. pic.twitter.com/l8LyLkMQRI
β Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) April 21, 2021