Trump says disaster aid to North Carolina hinges on Senate race outcome
At a rally in Gastonia, Donald Trump warned he would withhold federal disaster assistance for North Carolina if his endorsed Senate candidate loses.
Donald Trump, speaking to supporters in Gastonia, warned that federal disaster relief for North Carolina could be stalled should Republican Senate hopeful Michael Whatley lose the election. He criticized Democrats for their response to Hurricane Helene and referenced more than $2 billion already allocated through FEMA, implying additional funds would be withheld. After a brief pause, Trump laughed and said the aid would still arrive.
The comments recall prior instances where Trump overruled his administration to deny disaster aid to states that voted against him, while approving the majority of requests from Republican-controlled states. Court documents have also shown federal grants being cut based on partisan considerations. The Senate race is viewed as pivotal for control of the chamber, with polls showing former Governor Roy Cooper leading Whatley.
Why it matters
The threat highlights how federal disaster aid may be used as political leverage in a key Senate contest.
How this story developed
- Sep 10 Democrats vow aggressive oversight of Defense Secretary Hegseth if they win Congress
- Sep 12 After a federal judge blocked the renaming of the Kennedy Center, Donald Trump's takeover led to plummeting ticket sales, artist cancellations and a drop in donations.
- Sep 15 In a 7-2 unsigned order, the Supreme Court refused to overturn blocks on a new USPS regulation that would mandate election-mail markings, barcode-compatible envelopes, and a federal portal for voter data. The majority said the Justice Department had not shown a likelihood of success on the merits. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred, citing insufficient time for states to implement the rule before the midterms. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas authored a dissent, contending that the plaintiffs—mostly Democratic states—lacked standing and that the Postal Service’s statutory powers are broad. Alito emphasized that the timing argument does not justify denying the government’s application and criticized the challengers for delaying the rule’s rollout. He concluded that the “Hail Mary” effort would probably fail and urged the Court to grant the administration’s request. The decision stalls the rule for the upcoming election, though further litigation could allow implementation by 2028.
- Sep 15 Rep. Thomas Massie filed impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- Sep 15 The Supreme Court issued an order denying the administration’s emergency request to change mail‑in ballot handling.
- Sep 15 Donald Trump blasted the Supreme Court ruling, calling mail‑in voting a “laughing stock” and accusing the justices of being “petrified of these crazed and depraved Democrats.”
- Sep 16 Trump warned he would halt reconstruction entirely pending a court ruling on the naming request.
- Sep 16 The House of Representatives recessed after only seven workdays since returning from summer break, cancelling Thursday’s votes on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s impeachment and a Democratic AI proposal.
- Sep 17 Mike Johnson shifted Thursday’s agenda, delaying both the impeachment vote and the AI legislation.
- Sep 17 Joyce Beatty filed an emergency motion requesting a hearing to contest the board’s decision to shut the main building.
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