Today President Trump canceled a planned trip to the Hurricane Dorian-ravaged Outer Banks after a lighting storm blew through Eastern North Carolina soon after Air Force One landed in the the MCAS Cherry Point Base in Havelock, NC.
He was scheduled to take a helicopter ride to Emerald Isle this afternoon. After landing in Cherry Point, a lighting storm picked up strength and the decision was made to remain in Air Force One, where the President received a briefing from NC Governor Roy Cooper about the damage from Hurricane Dorian.
Soon after Air Force One arrived, a massive lightning strike was captured by CNN reporters in the press pool.
CNN producer Steve Brusk posted the picture, noting that it was taken by CNN’s “very wet pool crew of Orly Ruiz, Michael Wade Sanders and Liz Turrell”.
Pres. Trump had to cancel his planned tour of Hurricane Dorian damage because of thunderstorms in Fayetteville, NC. This was a lightning strike behind Air Force One shortly after he arrived. (The shot from the very wet pool crew of Orly Ruiz, Michael Wade Sanders and Liz Turrell) pic.twitter.com/9MWUyZ2WJj
— Steve Brusk (@stevebruskCNN) September 9, 2019
President Trump then reposted CNN’s photo (a source he considers “fake news”) with no credit given;
Departing MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina for Fayetteville, North Carolina. This is amazing! pic.twitter.com/JDv5HA126A
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2019
About an hour ago, President Trump took off toward Fayetteville, NC, where he is scheduled to speak at a rally in support of Republican Congressional Candidate Dan Bishop this evening.
The special election between Dan Bishop and Dan McCready is now set for September 10th. The election is being held due to Republican Mark Harris winning and being found guilty of voter fraud, Harris declined to run again in the special election.
There has only been 1 poll of the race that’s been released so far, showing both Bishop and McCready tied at 46% each.