ICYMI: "If Michael Loses, I'm Not Sending It": Trump Ties Helene Aid to the NC Senate Race

Two years after Hurricane Helene, federal aid covers just 16 percent of North Carolina's damage, and Trump threatens to withhold further aid based on midterm elections

NORTH CAROLINA—Donald Trump stood at a Gastonia campaign rally for Senate nominee Michael Whatley and told the crowd that the outcome of the election will determine whether North Carolina gets the recovery funding it desperately needs. "Now, if Michael loses, I'm not sending it, okay?" he said. Then he called it a joke.

Hurricane Helene caused nearly $60 billion in damage in North Carolina and killed more than 100 people. FEMA has committed more than $7.5 billion to the state, and all federal aid combined covers roughly 16 percent of the damage. In June, Gov. Josh Stein asked Congress for another $10 billion to close what he called "significant gaps." His office says more than 2,000 people who applied for federally funded housing assistance will get none unless Congress appropriates more money.

"After a disaster, the first question at FEMA is who needs help. Nobody asks how they voted," said Sabotaging Our Safety Advisory Council member Rafael Lemaitre, former Director of Public Affairs at FEMA.

“Put simply – these kinds of politics should have no place in disaster recovery. Western North Carolina, like disaster-impacted communities across the country, needs a fully-funded recovery and accountability for the insurance companies and land speculators who turn a profit from people losing their homes. Help rebuilding after disaster should be simple, fast, and automatic– not based on political favors and ugly campaign tactics.”

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