A Houston pediatrician is out of a job after posting a controversial message on Facebook mocking victims of the deadly Central Texas flooding, many of whom supported President Donald Trump. The post, made by Dr. Christina B. Propst, was widely condemned by community members, parents, and her now-former employer, Blue Fish Pediatrics.
The flooding — worsened by Tropical Storm Barry — has claimed at least 110 lives, including dozens of children, and left over 170 people missing in Kerr County and surrounding areas. In the wake of the tragedy, Dr. Propst posted under the name “Chris Tina”:
This is the sort of pediatric clinician employed at @BlueFishMD in Houston. The ethics, humanity and empathy illustrated here is unfathomable. pic.twitter.com/yW0TbEMGN7
— Dr. Lynn Fynn-derella🐭 (@Fynnderella1) July 5, 2025
The post quickly spread across social media, sparking outrage for politicizing a natural disaster that has devastated entire families. At the time of posting, reports of fatalities — including children at a Christian summer camp — were already emerging, though Propst later claimed she had not seen those reports.
In a statement to KPRC 2, Propst apologized, saying her “regrettable comment” was not intended to downplay the human tragedy:
“Unfortunately, my online comment is now being shared with the false impression that I made it after the devastating loss of life was known. I did not.”
She said she deleted the post after learning of the deaths, but the damage was done.
Blue Fish Pediatrics released a public statement Sunday announcing Propst was no longer employed with the clinic:
“We do not support or condone any statement that politicizes tragedy, diminishes human dignity, or fails to clearly uphold compassion for every child and family, regardless of background or beliefs.”
The clinic emphasized its support for the grieving families and reiterated that the comments made by Propst did not reflect the values or mission of the practice.
The controversy surrounding Propst’s comment comes as Democratic lawmakers push a political narrative blaming Trump-era cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service for contributing to the disaster.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) both pointed to “reduced forecasting capacity” and “staff shortages” as contributing factors.
“Accurate weather forecasting helps avoid fatal disasters,” Murphy posted on X. “There are consequences to Trump’s brainless attacks on public workers, like meteorologists.”
However, meteorologists and former NOAA officials have contradicted that claim.
Alan Gerard, a former NOAA branch director, said there’s “little evidence” to suggest the recent budget changes impacted services in this event. Jason Runyen of the National Weather Service said his office was fully staffed with additional personnel for the storm.
“That’s typical in every weather service office,” Runyen said. “You staff up for an event and bring people in on overtime.”
President Trump announced he will travel to Texas on Friday to meet with flood victims and first responders. He has called the storm’s impact “a national tragedy” and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding and recovery.
