Trump Tours North Carolina and California Following Criticism of Biden and Newsom’s Handling of Disasters – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
4:15 PM – Friday, January 24, 2025
Before their arrival in California, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania visited North Carolina on Friday to meet with residents affected by the catastrophic September hurricane, criticizing the response from former President Joe Biden.
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During his North Carolina visit, Trump engaged with local officials and leaders, taking charge of the recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene while condemning the Biden administration and FEMA for not adequately prioritizing assistance for those impacted.
He pointed out that many residents are still without access to drinking water and emphasized that local inhabitants have not received appropriate compensation following the devastating natural disaster.
“Biden’s handling of this situation has been poor. Some residents lack hot water, drinking water, and basic necessities—many are without housing. They received minimal assistance for their losses, but we will address this. This is entirely unacceptable, and I will take decisive action to ensure North Carolina receives the support required for a swift recovery,” Trump asserted.
Local leaders concurred that the Biden administration has failed the citizens of North Carolina, while Trump pledged to reform FEMA, stating that the agency “has truly let us down and the nation.”
“I will also be signing an executive order to initiate a complete reform and overhaul of FEMA, or possibly eliminate the agency altogether,” Trump announced during his visit. “In my opinion, FEMA is not performing effectively.”
Trump continued to interact with hurricane victims, listening to their heartbreaking stories – many of whom lost homes, personal belongings, family members, pets, and more.
“We aim to show the president a glimpse of the destruction and challenges faced by the people of western North Carolina,” said local Pastor Franklin Graham.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck last September, reportedly left 73,000 homes destroyed and resulted in 104 fatalities.
“I’ve encountered many horrific situations, but this is beyond anything I have ever seen,” Trump remarked.
Later in the day, the 45th and 47th president traveled to California to assess the ongoing wildfires affecting Los Angeles and nearby regions.
Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his lack of preparedness to handle the fires, alleging that Newsom prioritized saving an endangered fish over protecting human lives and infrastructure in the city. Trump stated that the water supply intended for firefighting efforts in L.A. was diverted to the Pacific Ocean due to Newsom’s environmental policies.
“I want to ensure that water is released for use in Los Angeles and across the state,” Trump stated on Friday. “Had they heeded my suggestion to release the water seven years ago, this situation would not be an issue now.”
On Friday, Newsom was seen welcoming Trump upon his arrival at the tarmac.
The two appeared to set aside their political differences during their encounter—sharing smiles and shaking hands, despite their previous confrontations in interviews and on social media.
“We are focused on completing this task, and collaboration is essential. The governor of this state is key in this process,” Trump mentioned.
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