Trump's visit was no doubt political as he was joined by East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway,  J.D. Vance, who is a U.S. senator from Ohio who won a hard fought campaign for his seat last November with Trump’s support, Ohio state Sen. Michael Rulli and state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel.

Speaking to a small group of local leaders, first responders and the media at the local fire station the former president, a Republican who lost reelection to current Democratic president Joe Biden in 2020 and is making his third bid for president in 2024, told the residents that they were not forgotten and that he supports them.

“We’re in East Palestine to show our love for our fellow Americans," said Trump.

The controversial former president also took aim at President Biden for what he called an inept federal response to the disaster that has residents up in arms via fears of air intoxication that have caused evacuations. The president has yet to visit the town to calm residents fears though on Monday he spoke with Ohio officials relative to the matter.