Inside President Trump’s Visit to Midland

MIDLAND, TX — Former President Donald Trump arrived in Midland yesterday for a private fundraiser, as part of his four-week push ahead of the Nov. 5 election, where he aims to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. At the Midland Space Port, a small crowd gathered to watch “Trump Force One,” a Boeing 757 modified into a private jet, land.

Congressmen August Pfluger (R-Midland) and Ronny Jackson (R-Amarillo) greeted Trump as he deplaned. Both Pfluger and Jackson are military veterans. Pfluger, a U.S. Air Force graduate from San Angelo, served as a fighter pilot, while Jackson, a Texas A&M graduate, is a retired rear admiral and former White House physician. Trump has maintained a close relationship with both, largely due to their military backgrounds.

Jackson, who served as Trump’s physician, was met with a familiar quip from the former president upon their reunion in Midland.

“Hey, doc! Am I still the healthiest president you’ve ever seen?” Trump joked.

Jackson replied, “You are the healthiest president I’ve ever seen.”

Trump laughed, adding, “That sounds like something I’d say.”

At the fundraiser, Trump began his remarks with, “Drill, baby, drill”—a slogan sure to resonate with oil and gas industry leaders in the Permian Basin. Trump’s economic recovery plan revolves around boosting U.S. oil and gas production.

“He told me he was sick to his stomach over what the Biden-Harris administration has done to oil and gas,” Pfluger said. Much of the legislation Pfluger has introduced in Congress has focused on defending the oil and gas industry from what he describes as harmful policies, including restrictions on natural gas exports and environmental regulations that impact oil exploration.

Pfluger, who worked on Trump’s National Security Council during his final military assignment, emphasized that Trump is more connected to the American people than the media portrays.

“He really loves people and wants the best for everyone,” Pfluger said.

During the fundraiser, Trump shared a story about the U.S. Air Force that resonated with many attendees, illustrating the difference between top military leadership and rank-and-file officers.

Trump recounted a time when he flew into Iraq for a surprise visit as president. The military pilots were conducting a lights-out approach to avoid ground fire, with Trump nervously riding in the jump seat.

“I couldn’t see anything,” Trump said.

Despite his nerves, Trump said the pilots remained calm and landed the plane without issue.

This story led to Trump’s criticism of current military leadership, which he said has become disconnected from the professionalism of its officers and enlisted personnel.

“Our military is incredibly professional, but our leadership has become a disaster,” Trump said, pointing to what he described as “woke” policies and using the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as a key example. He criticized the decision to abandon Bagram Air Base in favor of Kabul’s airport, which became a hotspot for terrorist attacks, including the deadly Abbey Gate bombing on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed 13 U.S. servicemembers and more than 170 Afghan civilians.

“Why would we give up Bagram?” Trump asked. “What a disaster.”

In private discussions, Pfluger said Trump expressed concern about Big Tech censorship, noting how companies like Alphabet (Google) and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) shape public opinion and suppress conservative voices through opaque algorithms. Pfluger, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Communications and Technology, said protecting free speech online is becoming a central issue for him, alongside defending the oil and gas industry.

“Trump is genuine and has a special way of ingratiating himself with the people around him,” Pfluger said. “The real Trump doesn’t get reported in the media at all.”

For example, the Midland Reporter-Telegram, the local newspaper, didn’t cover Trump’s visit in any depth. Instead, its headline focused on disruptions caused by the visit, reading: “Trump visit in Midland disrupts UTPB classes, traffic in the Permian.” The article highlighted campus closures, quoting Alexa Dunson, UTPB’s director of strategic communications, as saying, “We had just heard about this this morning.”

Given Trump’s history, including surviving two assassination attempts and facing a credible threat from the Iranian government. Certainly the out-of-touch corporate newspaper could have shown more consideration.

In a follow-up article, the MRT complained that it had not been invited to cover the fundraiser.