President Donald Trump demonstrated generosity during his visit to North Carolina on Friday, a region still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene from the previous fall. Many families continue to face hardships, feeling neglected by the Biden-Harris administration.
“We’re going to North Carolina. It’s been a terrible situation that has been allowed to persist, and we are going to rectify it. This should have been addressed months ago, following the hurricane that struck nearly four months ago,” Trump stated to reporters on the South Lawn before boarding Marine One.
“North Carolina has been treated very poorly, so we are making a stop there,” Trump remarked during his first visit since his inauguration on Monday.
While in the Tarheel State, the president allowed several residents to speak from his podium, expressing their concerns and frustrations regarding the inadequate response from FEMA.
During these discussions, Trump pledged to either reform or abolish the federal emergency agency due to its persistent failures attributed to bureaucratic inefficiencies, mismanagement of resources, and political biases. Prior to Trump’s arrival, it was reported that FEMA workers had been reluctant to approach homes in North Carolina and Florida displaying Trump signs or flags.
Many residents in western North Carolina are still residing in tents and campers more than 100 days after Hurricane Helene impacted the area, as noted by Fox News.
Two local residents who survived the storm in September but suffered considerable losses shared a sentiment from Trump that resonated with them during his visit to the hurricane-affected regions on Friday.
“He appears to genuinely care, and…I’m thankful that he’s here because it feels like we were overlooked or neglected under the previous administration,” said Curtis Wright, a Fairview resident who met Trump on Friday.
“He said, ‘We’re here, and we’re going to help you,’ and I trust him,” Wright added.
Wright’s father lost both his home and small business, while Wright himself lost his residence as well.
Many individuals have experienced significant losses, making it challenging to rebuild without the necessary resources, he remarked.
On Friday, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, at approximately 10 a.m., with scheduled visits to Fletcher and Swannanoa. The president addressed local residents and officials before heading to California later that afternoon to assess areas impacted by wildfires.
“We have come to North Carolina with a straightforward message for all those in this region who suffered greatly due to Hurricane Helene: You are no longer forgotten,” the president stated in Swannanoa, after listening to personal accounts from local community members.
Numerous campers situated on private property have been provided by both local and national charitable organizations, including Samaritan’s Purse and Cajun Navy, which are working in conjunction with Emergency RV to supply both used and new campers. Some individuals are currently living in campers supplied by FEMA at designated locations.
Holly Cape from Emergency RV informed Fox News Digital that the organization has contributed 87 RVs thus far, with expectations to increase that total to 104 by the end of the following week.
“I made a commitment to return to western North Carolina to assist the residents of this state, and today, I am here to fulfill that promise,” Trump declared on Friday. “We have numerous initiatives planned, and we are coordinating with the Army Corps of Engineers. Your riverbanks require restoration, and many roads need repair. We will accomplish this swiftly.”
