On September 1, 2019, as Hurricane Dorian approached the southeastern United States, President Donald Trump tweeted that Alabama would likely be hit harder than anticipated.
However, the National Weather Service's Birmingham, Alabama, office had already eliminated Alabama as a target days earlier, citing updated information.
Despite this, Trump continued to assert that Alabama would be affected, even going so far as to present a map in the Oval Office with the hurricane's track altered to include Alabama, drawn with a Sharpie.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially contradicted the Birmingham office and supported Trump's claim, but later stated that a top official had warned staff against contradicting the president.
As a former art director of National Geographic magazine and graphics department head at The New York Times, I was appalled by the manipulation of the map, which undermined the credibility and trustworthiness of cartography.
Cartography should be a sacred trust, devoid of attempts to deceive or manipulate information. Trump's actions, however, attacked the very foundations of truth and public trust.
As we face natural disasters, it is crucial that we prioritize accuracy and precision in our information, lest we sow doubt and uncertainty in the minds of the public.
Ultimately, Sharpie-gate serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of manipulating information and the importance of upholding truth and public trust.
