Friday 17 June 2022 12:43 AM Montana's out-of-action Gov. Greg Gianforte is on vacation in TUSCANY as ... trends now
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte was vacationing in the Italian region of Tuscany while his state was dealing with what officials called a 'once-in-every-500-years' flooding disaster.
It was finally revealed Thursday that the governor and his wife Susan were staying at Casole d'Elsa - a stunning hilltop village in the swish Italian province - by Newsy.
The governor - who previously refused to confirm the location of his trip - is now returning to Montana Thursday evening as historic flooding continues to ravage the state, and Yellowstone National Park faces 'indefinite' closure.
It is unclear if he cut his holiday to Tuscany short, or decided to wait until its planned conclusion to travel back to his stricken state.
The governor's office had previously said that he will be returning 'as quickly as possible,' but provided no specifics about when that would be.
Many compared Gianforte to Ted Cruz, who came under fire for vacationing in Cancun while Texans froze to death during a mass power-outage in winter, 2021.
One internet meme superimposed Gianforte's head onto a photo of Cruz walking through the airport while returning from the Mexico trip.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte was vacationing in the Italian region of Tuscany while his state was dealing with what officials called a 'once-in-every-500-years' flooding disaster
It was finally revealed Thursday that the governor and his wife were staying at Casole d'Elsa - a commune in the region
The governor - who previously refused to confirm the location of his trip - is now returning to Montana Thursday evening as historic flooding continues to ravage the state, and Yellowstone National Park faces 'indefinite' closure
'Greg Gianforte took lessons from Ted Cruz apparently,' wrote one user, with a reworking of a popular meme showing a car turning off at an exit signed 'mysterious trip abroad' when the other option was 'responding to floods with on the ground leadership.'
'Greg Gianforte pulled a Ted Cruz and is vacationing out of the country while Montana blunders its response to massive flooding,' wrote another.
Despite assurances from the republican governor's office, some Montana lawmakers found his absence inexcusable.
'In a moment of unprecedented disaster and economic uncertainty, Gianforte purposefully kept Montanans in the dark about where he was, and who was actually in charge,' said executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, Sheila Hogan, 'Again, we ask, where in the world is Gov. Gianforte?'
Many have compared Gianforte to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, seen here wheeling a large carry-on which suggested he planned to spend more than one night at the Mexican resort
Ted Cruz, speaking at home in Texas, admitted he made a mistake in flying to Cancun amid storms
The peanut gallery on Twitter - where Gianforte has published over 30 tweets about the flooding - have been equally unimpressed by the absence.
'Who is we??? And where in the h**l are you?' wrote one user in response to a tweet from the governor saying 'We are closely monitoring the flooding.'
'Is that the Royal We? And monitoring from where?' wrote another.
Numerous memes have also appeared in the comments of the governor's tweets, one depicting him in a Where's Waldo outfit over the question 'Where's Gianforte?'
Another put Gianforte's picture on the side of a milk carton beneath the statement 'MISSING,' and underneath a plea: 'Have you seen me? If
