Quick Hit:

Former President Donald Trump visited Asheville, North Carolina, to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and address local residents. This is his second visit to areas impacted by the storm. During the visit, Trump criticized FEMA’s response, urged displaced voters to request absentee ballots, and reaffirmed his commitment to disaster relief.

Key Details:

• Trump praised locals, saying, “You are special people. These are people with heart. They love your state. They love our country.”
• He criticized FEMA's handling of relief efforts, calling it “a disgrace” and accused them of spending “hundreds of millions” on undocumented immigrants.
• Trump encouraged storm victims to vote via absentee ballot, stressing, “You can request a ballot for your temporary housing location — but you have to do it TODAY. The deadline is here.”

Diving Deeper:

Former President Donald Trump visited Asheville on Monday to tour the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This marks his second visit to areas devastated by the storm, underscoring his focus on recovery efforts. Trump, accompanied by North Carolina GOP leaders and local officials, expressed empathy for those affected while taking aim at the federal government’s response.

In remarks to the press, Trump commended the spirit of North Carolinians. “You are special people. These are people with heart. They love your state. They love our country," he said while walking through Swannanoa. He continued, "I’m with you, and the American people will continue to be with you all the way."

Trump criticized FEMA for its storm response, saying, “It’s a shame … I think it’s a disgrace.” He repeated his assertion that FEMA mismanaged its funds, accusing the agency of spending “hundreds of millions” on issues unrelated to disaster relief, including aiding undocumented immigrants. “They were not supposed to be spending the money on taking in illegal migrants,” he added. Although Trump didn’t provide specifics during Monday's press event, he’s made similar allegations during campaign stops. FEMA has denied diverting resources to support individuals in the country without authorization.

Trump responded to concerns that his criticisms might fuel threats against FEMA, saying, “I think you have to let people know how they’re doing.” He also mentioned that he supports Congress reconvening to allocate more federal disaster aid, despite Congress not being scheduled to return until after the election.

During the visit, Trump also expressed the importance of voting in the upcoming election, particularly for those displaced by the storm. “If you had to relocate because of the storm, you do NOT have to return to your home county. You can request a ballot for your temporary housing location — but you have to do it TODAY. The deadline is here. WE LOVE YOU!” North Carolina has already seen record early voting numbers, with over 1 million ballots cast before Monday.

Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp previously made a joint appearance in Evans, Georgia, to address the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. This marked their first public appearance together since the 2020 election fallout. Both leaders set aside political differences to focus on the immediate needs of hurricane victims. Trump emphasized the importance of prioritizing lives over politics, saying, "I'm not thinking about voters right now. I'm thinking about lives, and to be honest, it's much bigger than anything else." Kemp reassured the crowd, quoting scripture and pledging not to leave until the recovery job is finished. Their united front highlighted a renewed focus on providing aid to those affected by the storm.

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, whose district includes Western North Carolina, thanked Trump for physically visiting the storm-affected areas, pointing out that President Biden’s visit was limited to an aerial tour. “You did more than a flyover,” Edwards said. Trump’s tour included stops to meet with first responders, local business owners, and faith leaders. He praised nonprofit organizations like Samaritan’s Purse for stepping in to assist where government aid fell short. He also mentioned dispersing $7 million out of the $8 million raised through a GoFundMe he initiated after the storm, asking for local input on where to allocate the remaining funds.

Trump thanked a local veteran, Adam Smith, who helped set up a temporary airbase for aid distribution. “We’re grateful for that,” Smith told Trump, presenting him with a small wooden cross as a gesture of appreciation. Trump acknowledged the community’s fear of being forgotten and reiterated his commitment to ensuring ongoing support for recovery.

North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley, who accompanied Trump during the visit, praised the former president's focus on the region. "I think it is tremendously important that you are here," Whatley said. "Your focus on making sure western North Carolina is not going to be forgotten is critical."