Former President Donald Trump addressed concerns about losing voters in areas affected by Hurricane Helene during a speech in Evans, Georgia. When asked if he was worried about “disenfranchised voters” as a result of the hurricane’s impact on North Carolina and Georgia, Trump replied, “I’m not thinking about voters right now. I’m thinking about lives.” He emphasized that saving lives is his primary concern amidst the disaster, with hundreds still missing after the storm.
Trump has been visiting communities in both states to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The hurricane brought heavy rainfall and devastating flooding to western North Carolina, Georgia, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and Florida. Over 220 people have been reported dead as a result of the storm’s destruction, with hundreds more still missing.
In response to the disaster, Trump authorized a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $5,580,000 for victims of Hurricane Helene, surpassing its initial goal of $1,000,000. The funds have been allocated to Samaritan’s Purse, Water Mission, Clinch Foundation, and Mtn2Sea Ministries.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also visited North Carolina and South Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Before their visit, Biden ordered “1,000 active-duty troops to support the North Carolina National Guard” in response to the storm’s aftermath.