Oh God, Trump Tried to Pretend Like He Cared About Hurricane Victims Again

Donald Trump took his patented brand of charm and empathy down to North Carolina to connect with local residents there in the wake of Hurricane Florence, which has killed at least 37 people.

On Wednesday, Trump—who kicked off his mission of caring by solemnly proclaiming that Florence was a “tough hurricane, one of the wettest we’ve ever seen from the standpoint of water”—spoke to some people in New Bern, NC, whose homes were devastated by the storm.

Check out the poignant conversation that followed, courtesy of New York Times reporter Mark Landler, who covered the encounter for the White House press pool:

Trump crossed the street to a small brick house, where he stopped to greet an older man in the T-shirt. Behind the house, a large yacht had washed ashore and was shipwrecked against the wooden deck.

Trump gazed at the yacht, saying, Is this your boat? The owner said no.

Trump turned and replied with smile, At least you got a nice boat out of the deal.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the owner told him his insurance company didn’t want to pay for the damage to his home. We’re going to find out, he said. We’re going to find out the name of the insurance company.

I think it’s incredible what we’re seeing, the president added. This boat just came here. They don’t know whose boat that is, he said. What’s the law? Maybe it becomes theirs.

“At least you got a nice boat out of the deal.” The “deal” being a hurricane. Words to live by, my friends. Words to live by.