Introduction
On September 4, 2019, President Donald Trump visited a U.S. Coast Guard station in Alabama to receive a briefing on Hurricane Dorian. During the briefing, the President showed a map of the hurricane's projected path. However, the map had been altered with a Sharpie to include the state of Alabama in the projected path.
The Controversy
The alteration of the map caused controversy as many people accused the President of trying to mislead the public about the hurricane's path. The National Weather Service had already issued a statement saying that Alabama was not at risk from the hurricane.
Trump's Defense
President Trump defended his alteration of the map by saying that he had received information from the media that Alabama was at risk from the hurricane. He also said that the map he showed was an earlier projection and that the hurricane's path had changed.
The Colorado Wall Map
On October 23, 2019, President Trump again used a Sharpie to alter a map, this time to show a wall being built along the border of Colorado. The President was speaking at the Shale Insight Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he made the comment.
The Reaction
Many people on social media were quick to point out that Colorado does not share a border with Mexico and therefore, there was no need for a wall in the state. Some people also made fun of the President's use of a Sharpie to alter the map.
The President's Explanation
President Trump later tweeted that he was joking about building a wall in Colorado and that he was referring to the fact that many people who live in Colorado travel to New Mexico to cross the border into Mexico. He also posted a new map showing the border of Colorado and New Mexico.
The Importance of Accurate Information
The controversy surrounding the altered maps highlights the importance of accurate information. In a world where misinformation is readily available, it is important that leaders and public figures provide accurate information to the public.
Conclusion
The use of a Sharpie to alter maps has become a controversial issue since President Trump's use of it during the Hurricane Dorian briefing and again at the Shale Insight Conference. While the President has defended his actions, many people are calling for more accurate information to be provided to the public.