Trump criticizes FEMA response during Helene storm damage tour in North Carolina

SWANNANOA, N.C. (WLOS) — During a visit to Swannanoa on Monday, Oct. 21, former President Donald Trump criticized the federal government’s Helene response but said he was not concerned that the storm’s aftermath would affect election results in the battleground state.

Trump’s visit comes three weeks after Helene dealt extensive damage across Western North Carolina. Swannanoa, a community in Buncombe County, was hit particularly hard by the storm. The Republican presidential candidate opened with remarks about the extensive damage he saw and allusions to the election.

“The power of nature — nothing you can do about it. But you got to get a little bit better crew in to do a better job than has been done by the White House. It’s been not good – not good,” Trump said. “I’m here today in Western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state: I’m with you and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. On January 20, you’re going to have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner.”

Trump said that he came with a simple message: to let the people of Western North Carolina know that he and the American people stand with them and will continue to do that. Trump said if elected, he is committed to standing with these communities until they are fully rebuilt.

“Every single inch of every property will be fully rebuilt, greater and more beautiful than it was before,” he said. “Many Americans in this region felt helpless and abandoned and left behind by their government and yet in North Carolina’s hour of desperation, the American people answered the call more so than your federal government.”

During Monday’s event, Trump repeated the debunked statement that FEMA’s response was hampered because it spent its budget helping people who crossed the border illegally. That claim was addressed weeks ago by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., who stood behind Trump as he spoke.

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“FEMA has NOT diverted disaster response funding to the border or foreign aid,” an Oct. 8 press release titled “Debunking Helene Response Myths” from Rep. Edwards’ office read. “Disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. FEMA’s non-disaster related presence at the border has always been of major concern to me, even before Hurricane Helene, and I will continue to condemn their deployment of personnel to the southern border, but we must separate the two issues.”

Trump had multiple Swannanoa business owners present to share their stories, along with other leaders like Senator Ted Budd and Representative Chuck Edwards.

“Mr. President, I appreciate you coming here, your love for the people, your heart for them. It’s going to take a lot of work for western North Carolina and I don’t think anybody running for office understands it as well as you do,” Budd said.

Tim Moore, North Carolina Speaker of the House said that he has heard from Trump and his team from day one.

Trump also discussed how he started a GoFundMe right after Helene hit, and that to date, it has raised $8 million. In addition to that, $7 million has already been distributed to various charities and Trump asked for recommendations from local leaders for where the rest of the money should go.

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Despite extensive damage across the North Carolina mountains, Trump said he saw no reason for the storm to cast doubt on the state election results.

“No, I think in a way, it’s the opposite,” Trump said. “I mean, we’re so impressed, and I think they have a pretty good system here.”

Trump also emphasized the importance of voting, saying that it is vital not to let the hurricane take away the voice of the people.

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With just over three weeks until Election Day, Trump’s and Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaigns have ramped up activity across the state. Trump has two other North Carolina stops on Monday. Former President Bill Clinton appeared last week with Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, and followed with several visits in eastern North Carolina.

Content from the Associated Press contributed to this article.