- Lt. Governor in Charge as Abbott Visits Taiwan, South Korea, Japan
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing criticism for continuing his business trip to Asia as Hurricane Beryl ravages his state.
Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday morning as a Category 1 storm, dropping at least 10 inches of water on Houston.
Wind gusts of over 90 mph left 2.7 million people in the Houston area without power, killing two people.
But Abbott was nowhere to be seen as emergency services rushed to save lives.
He was bone dry and over seven thousand miles away in Taiwan, rubbing shoulders with Korean businessmen and dignitaries. It was part of a trip to strengthen Texas’s “relations” with Asia.
Texas governor is being criticized for not canceling an economic trip to Asia as his state prepared for a hurricane
Beryl hit Houston this week with 80 mph winds and torrential rain, leaving some motorists stranded
‘#AsianAbbott is taking “leadership” cues from #CancunCruz. And this trip is the ABSOLUTE LEAST productive use of OUR TAX MONEY for Texas,’ tweeted @HKR30754663.
‘Asia Abbott’ is a comparison to the nickname given to US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in 2021.
He fled the Lone Star State during the worst freeze in the state’s history, which killed more than 700 people statewide.
Cruz was then called ‘Cancun Cruz’.
Unlike Cruz, Abbott was abroad on state business.
He left Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in charge of the state’s preparations for Beryl last week.
Abbott’s has already visited South Korea and Taiwan and also had plans to visit Japan.
Abbott has been on a multi-day economic trip to Asia
With 2.7 million Texas residents left without power due to massive flooding, many wondered why Abbott had decided to continue on a business trip to Asia instead of staying in Austin to lead the Beryl disaster relief effort.
“Read the room,” one social media user responded to Abbott’s posts about his travels.
Many people in the Houston area were without power on Monday.
“My power went out in the middle of the night in Galveston and I’m sure it will for days as we try to ride out the storm in 90+ degree heat and 100% humidity. Glad you’re having a nice holiday,” @mollywwid tweeted.
Houston’s mayor said he, like millions of others, was left without power and air conditioning in the 90-degree heat and stifling humidity.
“I have no power. We’re all in this together. We’re all in this together.”
At least two people have died in the storm, authorities said.
Abbott’s office did not immediately comment on the timing of his trip.