Trump Ties Disaster Aid to Votes as Midterm Fight Heats up | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Analysts say the White House is tying disaster aid to political support as states face longer waits and more denials under Trump.
- On Monday, Vice President JD Vance promised more than $800 million in aid for western North Carolina, while President Donald Trump has linked federal disaster assistance to support for Republican candidates in the November 3 midterms.
- Federal disaster relief remains a flashpoint in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene struck in September 2024, with FEMA providing about $10.8 billion covering just 18% of roughly $60 billion in total storm damage.
- Trump faced scrutiny for suggesting he might withhold aid if Democratic candidates lose, though he later claimed he was "only kidding." Sarah Labowitz, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warns politicizing disaster declarations undermines the federal system.
- White House director of communications Steven Cheung dismissed reports of political manipulation as "complete fiction." The administration is planning to shift more disaster response responsibilities and expenses onto state governments.
- With the November 3 midterms approaching, the administration's handling of disaster policy faces intense scrutiny in competitive states. Voters are weighing aid promises against risks of a system analysts fear is becoming increasingly politicized.
17 Articles
17 Articles
WH Denies That Trump Said What He’s Said On Video
The New York Times reports: The White House is using federal disaster relief as leverage while Republicans fight to keep power in Washington, with President Trump saying on one occasion that voting for Democrats could mean less money for states. During a Monday visit to western North Carolina communities still struggling to recover from Hurricane … The post WH Denies That Trump Said What He’s Said On Video appeared first on Joe.My.God..
The victory of the Democrats in the midterm elections in the United States is unlikely to change President Donald Trump's policy on Ukraine. Even if Democrats win a majority in one or both houses of Congress, the American leader will retain considerable authority on foreign policy.
NYT fact-checks Trump assistant using president’s own words
The New York Times is fighting back against allegations that the legacy publication failed to fact-check when producing a recent report accusing the Trump administration of using disaster aid to influence political choices. In response to the report, Steven Cheung, assistant to the president and White House director of communications, wrote on X, “This story is complete fiction. Nobody is withholding any disaster aid. The 'expert' the NYT cites …
Trump will not change the policy towards Ukraine of US President Donald Trump ' s policy towards Ukraine after the victory of the Democrats, because the Head of State will have sufficient sole powers in international politics, as reported by RBK-Ukraine with reference to Politico. Trump will not change after the election of the Democratic Victory in November - in one or both of the Houses of Congress - will hardly significantly deter Trump …
Europe does not expect that the possible victory of the Democrats in the elections will save Ukraine from the rapprochement of the Trump administration with Russia, writes Politico
Europe does not expect that the possible victory of the Democrats in the elections will save Ukraine from the rapprochement of the Trump administration with Russia, writes Politico.European officials involved in the Ukraine negotiations expect "modest...
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