Trump makes more claims about Fema as he surveys storm damage in North Carolina

In surveying storm damage in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump singled out federal emergency responders whose work has been hit by armed intimidation and a barrage of misinformation.

But he said he was not concerned that the aftermath of Hurricane Helene would affect election results in the battleground state.

Trump was asked whether it was helpful to criticize hurricane relief efforts after the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently halted work in the area amid reports that they could be targeted by militias.

He responded by attacking the agency again and repeating the lie that the response was hampered because Fema spent its budget on helping people crossing the border illegally.

That claim was debunked weeks ago by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, who stood behind Trump as he spoke.

“Well, I think you have to let people know how they’re doing,” Trump told reporters outside Asheville.

“If they do well, I think we should say that too, because I think they should be rewarded. If they are doing poorly, shouldn’t we say so?”

Despite the extensive damage in western North Carolina, Trump said he saw no reason why the storm would cast doubt on the election results in North Carolina.

“No, I think in a way it’s the opposite,” Trump said. “I mean, we’re so impressed, and I think they have a pretty good system here.”

Trump’s campaign and that of his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, are ramping up activity in North Carolina after the storm.

Trump had three stops in the state planned for Monday. Former President Bill Clinton appeared last week with Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, and followed up with several visits in eastern North Carolina.

With fifteen days left until Election Day, North Carolina is crucial to the Electoral College math that will decide whether Mr. Trump gets an encore from the White House or whether Ms. Harris hands him a second defeat and makes history in the process as the first woman, the second black. person and first person of South Asian descent to reach the Oval Office.

North Carolina is expected to cast as many as 5.5 million votes, with more than a million votes already cast since early voting started last Thursday.

Focusing on the suburbs of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin on Monday, Ms. Harris held a series of conversations with Republican Liz Cheney, moderated by Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, publisher of the conservative commentary site Bulwark, and conservative radio host Charlie Sykes.