REAL TALK

NEWS POLITICS

President Biden Skips East Palestine Visit Amidst Toxic Train Derailment Fallout

ByAlki David

Sep 4, 2023

President Joe Biden’s decision not to visit East Palestine, Ohio, in the aftermath of a toxic train derailment has raised eyebrows and concerns. The incident, which occurred back in February, saw hazardous chemicals released into the local environment. When questioned about his absence, President Biden cited a packed schedule while surveying hurricane damage in Florida.

In response to inquiries from reporters, President Biden explained, “Well, I haven’t had the occasion to go to East Palestine. There’s a lot going on here, and I just haven’t been able to break. I was thinking whether I’d go to East Palestine this week, but I was reminded I’ve got to go literally around the world, from Washington to India to Vietnam.”

The incident in question involved a Norfolk Southern train derailment on February 3, which resulted in several rail cars catching fire. To mitigate the risk, authorities executed a controlled burn at the site, releasing substances like hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air. Residents within a one-mile radius were evacuated temporarily but later allowed to return.

However, what’s raising eyebrows is President Biden’s extensive vacation time. Despite the pressing matters at hand, the 80-year-old president recently enjoyed a 10-day beach getaway. This vacation adds to the 360 days off he has taken during his time in office, accounting for nearly 40% of his total time as commander-in-chief.

While the president has a busy international schedule, many are left wondering why he hasn’t prioritized addressing the concerns of East Palestine residents. As questions linger, it remains to be seen whether President Biden will make a visit to the affected area, given the ongoing challenges his administration faces.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.