Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that President Obama has not called him since the terrorist attack that killed 49 and wounded 53 others in Orlando over the weekend.
The Republican governor told Brian Kilmeade of “Fox and Friends” that former President George W. Bush and Donald Trump — but not the president — reached out to him after Omar Mateen sprayed gunfire inside a gay nightclub.
“A staffer has called, but no, he has not called,” Mr. Scott said.
The White House said Mr. Obama did speak with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, a Democrat, after the attack and likely would meet face to a face soon with Mr. Scott.
“Well, first of all, the president has had the opportunity to speak with Buddy Dyer, who is the mayor of Orlando,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said, the Miami Herald reported. “Other senior White House officials have been in touch with Gov. Scott directly, and there have been a number of conversations between Obama administration officials and their counterparts in Florida to ensure that we are effectively coordinating the efforts of federal authorities with state and local authorities as well.
“As we announced last night, the president will be traveling to Orlando on Thursday,” Mr. Earnest said. “And, as we always do, we will invite the governor to be a part of the president’s arrival. And hopefully, the president will have the opportunity to see Gov. Scott there.”
The conservative website Hot Air surmised that Mr. Scott’s criticism of the president over the Affordable Care Act and the federal response to the Zika virus may have delayed a conversation between the two men.
“If I were [presumptive Republican presidential nominee] Trump, I’d be on a plane tomorrow for a photo op with Scott,” the website’s Allahpundit wrote. “Highlighting Obama’s petty jackassery is an easy way to try to get the public on Trump’s side as the five-month war of words with O begins.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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