In 2014, youth activist Mari Copeny began advocating for her community of Flint, Michigan under the moniker "Little Miss Flint.' For years, Flint has suffered from a lethal water crisis brought on by stratospheric lead levels in the community's drinking water.
Copeny met with then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, where Trump assured that he would fix the Flint water crisis within his first 100 days.
While the tireless work of local activists has lead to some improvements in the community, a recent study shows that a significant percentage of the community still has alarmingly high lead levels in its available water supply.
Four years to the day after her meeting with candidate Trump, Copeny tweeted a message to now-President Trump.
Fun fact, this picture is 4 years old today and my face in it shows how I feel about this entire year.
He said he would "fix Flint" in his first 100 days but only mentioned Flint for the first to attack Snyder last week. pic.twitter.com/LQY1d0lxO1
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) September 15, 2020
Copeny, who looks uneasy meeting Trump in the four year old picture, accused Trump of only using Flint to call out Michigan's former Republican governor, Rick Snyder.
Trump targeted Snyder in a series of tweets last week.
The failed former Governor of Michigan, RINO Rick Snyder, who was responsible for the Flint Water Disaster (and I let him know it!), is now endorsing Sleepy Joe Biden, who doesn't have a clue! Snyder, whose political career was ruined by Flint, hurt a lot of people in Michigan...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2020
...I'll take the Endorsement of Law Enforcement all over the Country, and Joe can have the RINO'S. This Snyder mess was made during the OBiden era - no wonder they're friends!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2020
In December of 2016, then-President Barack Obama signed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016, which awarded a $170 million grant toward repairing water infrastructure in Flint.
The grant wasn't officially approved by the Environmental Protection Agency until shortly after Trump took office, leading some to give the current President credit.
Copeny followed up her thread by telling followers that her encounter with Trump only lasted 10 seconds.
PS, the whole “encounter" lasted all of 10 seconds maybe less, if you watched Flint town on Netflix it's on there but you have to be paying attention cause it's so fast.
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) September 15, 2020
People agreed with Copeny's take on Trump.
Trump has done NOTHING to help https://t.co/BpG70OYbqI
— George Perry (@Georgetperry) September 15, 2020
Ive made that face throughout these last four years. It's beyond time for a change.
— Renee Larson (@iamreneejai) September 15, 2020
Mari, I would have the same look. You have great instincts and smarts- always follow them! 💜
— Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) September 15, 2020
he is repulsive. I am so glad to see you growing up and becoming such a wonderful, honest opinionated girl! keep speaking up! xo
— Leona Lee (@FleurDeLeeArt) September 15, 2020
Others were disturbed by the awkward picture.
It looks like he intentionally pulled you for a photo op. No child should have to go through that.
— Be a Hero and Vote No (@LeoKardasshian) September 15, 2020
Ugh, I absolutely hate how he's holding your wrist like that. The whole picture is unsettling. I am sorry you had to go through that.
— 🇧🇲💜✨ brennx0r ✨💜🇧🇲 (@brennx0r) September 15, 2020
The whole picture screams press op and political theater. Super gross
— Jenna Brown (@animatorjenna) September 15, 2020
The wrist grab is just awful
— Elisa Crawley (@elmcrawley) September 15, 2020
That picture is so upsetting, you look horrified 😭
— futurowoman (@futurowoman) September 15, 2020
Ughh. I shudder looking at that image. I'm sorry that you had to go through that.
— Stardust (@p53_angel) September 15, 2020
Copeny included a call to donate to her filter fund—an effort to provide water filters and combat the national water crisis.
Now that I have your attention, go donate to my filter fund to get filters to people nationwide dealing with a water crisis because it is so much bigger than Flint. https://t.co/3euCGcWFbs pic.twitter.com/SMw4eLCZNa
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) September 15, 2020
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@thedrewbarrymoreshow/TikTok
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social