Quick Hit:

On Monday, former President Donald Trump toured Valdosta, Georgia, to witness firsthand the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Trump expressed solidarity with the affected communities, saying, "We're here today to stand in complete solidarity with the people of Georgia and with all of those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene." He also praised the relief efforts, adding, "We brought a lot of [supplies] down with us...It's going to be distributed now or soon."

Key Details:

• Trump emphasized the need for immediate federal assistance, particularly for Georgia and North Carolina, stating, "We do need some help from the federal government. They have to get together...and I'm sure they're going to come through." He also pointed out the need for better communication services, mentioning his conversation with Elon Musk to deploy Starlink, saying, "They have no communication...we're working on that."

• Trump praised the quick response from organizations like Samaritan's Purse, thanking Franklin Graham, noting, "Franklin’s incredible organization...has done such a good job. We've done this before." Trump expressed optimism for the recovery process but acknowledged the extent of the damage, saying, "Entire neighborhoods have been turned into lakes."

• Trump called for a moment of silence for the 91 confirmed victims of the storm, mourning the loss of life, "To the families and loved ones of those who have perished, we mourn alongside of you and we grieve every single life so tragically lost."

Diving Deeper:

Former President Donald Trump’s visit to Valdosta, Georgia, came as part of an effort to shine a spotlight on the severe damage left by Hurricane Helene, one of the most devastating storms the region has seen in years. Touring the affected areas, Trump noted that the hurricane’s impact was unprecedented, saying, "Hurricane Helene turned out to be a big one, just about the biggest that anyone's seen. I spoke with all of the relief people... and they said they've never seen one this bad."

Trump made it clear that rebuilding the affected communities would not be easy, but he expressed confidence that with time, Valdosta and other devastated towns would bounce back stronger than ever. "You're going to be stronger, better. You're going to learn a lot from it...we pray to God for those that have been so badly injured," Trump stated.

As part of his visit, Trump highlighted the efforts of volunteers and organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, who spoke alongside him at the event. Trump praised Graham and his organization’s swift response, saying, "You people are fantastic...you always seem to be the first ones at areas that need help." Franklin Graham closed the press conference with a prayer, asking for strength for the victims and thanking Trump for visiting and "helping to put a spotlight on this city, this state, in this region that has lost so much."