President Barack Obama plans to visit Flint, Michigan to discuss the water crisis and comfort victims — more than four months after liberal filmmaker Michael Moore called for him to visit the stricken area.
According to the White House, Obama will visit a Flint neighborhood on May 4 to get a personal update on the efforts to assist the community with its public water crisis.
Obama ignored pleas from Moore and other community leaders to visit in January when he made a trip to the Detroit auto show.
He referred to the crisis during his speech in Michigan, but earned scorn from Moore for not making a personal visit.
Why is the president making a visit now? According to the White House, he was inspired to visit after receiving a letter from an eight-year-old girl “Little Miss Flint” Mari Copeny who asked to meet with him in Washington D.C.
In a letter back to Copeny, Obama informed her that he would be traveling to meet her in Michigan instead.
“I want to make sure people like you and your family are receiving the help you need and deserve,” Obama wrote.