|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Former U.S. president Donald Trump visited victims of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Georgia on Monday – bringing relief supplies by the truckload, inspecting the widespread damage and pledging to support families whose lives and property have been devastated by the storm.
“We came down with truckloads of different items, from oil to water,” Trump said. “We’re here today to stand with complete solidarity with the people of Georgia and all those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene.”
Helene has left at least 121 people dead – a number which continues to rise – and caused property damage that could eclipse $110 billion, per initial estimates. That would make the storm one of the five deadliest hurricanes ever to strike the United States.
“To the families and loved ones of those who have perished, we mourn alongside of you and we grieve every single life so tragically lost,” Trump said in leading a moment of silence and prayer of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
He also praised first responders for their herculean efforts…
***
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "I received a briefing on the situation here in Valdosta from FEMA, the National Guard, as well as a number of state and local officials… I also want to thank Governor @BrianKempGA who's working around the clock… We also have to salute the incredible first… pic.twitter.com/DwbzQUlb5M
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 30, 2024
***
“Working together, we’ll overcome these hardships, we will endure, and we will rebuild … we’ll emerge stronger, more united, and more prosperous than ever before,” Trump said.
In addition to bringing supplies to the region, Trump addressed the pressing need to restore communications capabilities to the region. On that front, he said he had spoken with billionaire Elon Musk about making Starlink services available in the region.
“I just spoke to Elon,” Trump said. “We want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever and Elon will always come through — we know that, so we’re working on that.”
As of Monday afternoon, neither U.S. president Joe Biden nor vice president/2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris had visited victims of the storm. Harris was at a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday, while Biden – who was vacationing on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware prior to returning to Washington, D.C. – said he planned to pay a visit to storm victims “later this week.”
***
***
Biden snapped at a reporter who asked him why neither he nor Harris had traveled to the region yet.
“I was commanding — I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday, and the day before, as well,” Biden said. “I command, it’s called a telephone.”
As for Trump, he vowed to make additional trips to the area in the aftermath of the storm…
“To every family that has been displaced here in Georgia, in North Carolina, and throughout the region, our hearts are with you in this hour of need,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social page. “You are in our prayers today, and throughout all the long weeks that lay ahead. We love you — we are with you — and we will be back again and again.”
Two of the states impacted by Helene are critical battlegrounds in the 2024 election. Prior to the storm striking, Trump enjoyed a narrow 1.4 percent edge over Harris in Georgia and an even slimmer 0.6 percent edge over her in North Carolina.
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the owner and founding editor of FITSNews. Prior to founding his own news outlet, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina, bass guitarist in an alternative rock band and bouncer at a Columbia, S.C. dive bar. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
9 comments
Another Trump reacharound from “agnostic” Folks. How does that mushroom shaped dong feel Will? You think there is nothing political with him picking Georgia “find me 11,780 votes” to visit? Ha. At least Melania didn’t come with her “I really don’t care, do u” jacket.
What Trump said Friday:
“We’re with you all the way, and if we were there we’d be helping you. You’ll be okay.” Over 100 people who lost their lives would like a word…
Of note that he wants to dismantle NOAA.
Trump and his campaign goons diverted people and resources to build that useless brick mini wall and to create a “crowd” for his pointless address.
No mention that Trump’s Project 2025, the Republican’s platform, would abolish any Federal aid or agencies that would help with natural disasters.
“To create a crowd.” No critical thinking skills, eh? The mini wall was built so he would have a place to duck down should someone try to assassinate him again.
lol
Is that what the Trump team is telling you gullible fools today?
You have to be especially stupid to support the super-old, mentally disabled, felon and liar at this point. Congrats, stupid!
Like that fat-assed pig would be able to duck behind that tiny wall! Lack of “critical thinking skills” is the fundamental characteristic of Trumptards.
And now, he’s started a “Go Fund Me” for his MAGA cult to donate to “help Georgia”, but oddly, hasn’t made a donation, even though he claims to be a billionaire. Yeah, no one in Georgia is going to see a penny of that money and it won’t even be the first time the Trump family have helped themselves to charity donations. He also claimed that Biden wouldn’t answer Kemp’s calls and Kemp himself said that wasn’t true. But yeah, let’s return this felon to office so he can throw more paper towel rolls at disaster victims while abolishing the National Hurricane Center and FEMA.
Will, this column of yours reads like a Trump campaign press release.
When your boss grabs them by the you-know-what, I guess a CDV charge reads like job experience.
The only reason Donald Trump pretends to care about Georgia and NC is because he might lose it again. For what it’s worth, he wants these states to do horribly because he can campaign on it. He’s said as much already. Suffer and die for the unemployed orange dweeb to not have to face a prison cell.
Don’t worry, for states like SC, he simply doesn’t care. He doesn’t have to “earn” our electoral votes so no pretending is necessary, save for any ego boost rallies he might hold here.