Trump to tour disaster zones in North Carolina and California
By isabelle // 2025-01-24
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  • President Trump visits hurricane-hit North Carolina and wildfire-stricken California, with both areas facing criticism over disaster response and partisan tensions.
  • Trump blames FEMA for slow recovery in North Carolina and accuses California Governor Newsom of mismanaging wildfires.
  • California Governor Newsom plans to greet Trump despite their history of public clashes and Trump’s calls for his resignation.
  • Trump advocates for state-led disaster recovery, criticizing FEMA’s role, while experts emphasize the need for federal support.
  • The visit highlights Trump’s focus on recovery efforts but underscores ongoing political divides over disaster management.
President Donald Trump is set to visit hurricane-ravaged North Carolina and wildfire-stricken Los Angeles today, marking his first trip since reclaiming the presidency. The visit comes amid sharp criticism of federal and state responses to the disasters, with Trump accusing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of mishandling recovery efforts in North Carolina and blaming California Governor Gavin Newsom for exacerbating the wildfire crisis. The trip is expected to highlight Trump’s commitment to disaster recovery while reigniting partisan tensions over how such crises are managed. Trump’s first stop will be in western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene devastated communities in September. The president has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the recovery, claiming that the region’s needs were neglected. “It’s been a horrible thing the way that thing has been allowed to fester, and we’re going to get it fixed up. Should have been done months ago,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House. In California, Trump’s focus will shift to the ongoing wildfires that have killed 28 people and destroyed nearly 16,000 structures. The president has accused state leaders of mismanaging water resources.

Newsom plans to greet Trump despite tensions

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, plans to meet the president upon his arrival in Los Angeles, despite not being formally invited. “I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president and welcome him,” Newsom told reporters Thursday. The governor has dismissed Trump’s claims about water mismanagement, calling them “disinformation.” The two leaders have a long history of public sparring. Trump has called for Newsom’s resignation, blaming him for the wildfires and accusing him of prioritizing environmental policies over public safety. “This is all his fault!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week. Newsom, meanwhile, has urged Trump to put politics aside and focus on helping affected communities.

A focus on recovery

Trump’s visit underscores his administration’s approach to disaster response, which includes shifting more responsibility to individual states. “I’d rather see the states take care of their own problems,” Trump told Fox News, adding that FEMA often “gets in the way.” This stance has drawn criticism from experts who argue that federal support is essential during large-scale disasters. In North Carolina, Trump will meet with residents aided by Samaritan’s Purse, a humanitarian organization led by evangelical leader Franklin Graham. In California, he will tour the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where rows of homes were reduced to ashes. Both stops are expected to highlight Trump’s commitment to swift recovery efforts, even as they expose deep partisan divides over how such crises should be managed. As Trump tours the disaster zones, his visit serves as both a promise of federal support and a reminder of the political tensions that often surround disaster response. While residents in North Carolina and California hope for meaningful assistance, the president’s criticisms of FEMA and state leaders suggest that recovery efforts will remain a contentious issue. For now, Trump’s presence in these devastated communities offers a glimmer of hope—and a chance to address the challenges that lie ahead.   Sources for this article include: Reuters.com APNews.com NYPost.com
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