Just days into his presidency, Donald Trump made his first official travel to North Carolina, a state he says has been “abused” by former president Joe Biden and the former administration’s handling of disasters. Accompanied by key allies, including First Lady Mrs. Melania Trump, Trump emphasized his commitment to the common man and woman, sharply criticizing FEMA’s performance under President Biden.
"This is terrible,” Trump said upon arrival. "It should have been done. A lot of things should have happened that didn’t happen. So we’re here. We’re going to fix it.”
Trump’s visit highlighted what he sees as federal failures in disaster response, particularly in North Carolina. "FEMA has really let us down, let the country down,” he declared. “We’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA. It’s something that never worked for me.”
Watch a quick clip:
.@brianglenntv Asks @POTUS About His Campaign Promises To Put Americans First As He Arrives In North Carolina To Support Disaster Relief pic.twitter.com/qANwaKBnEI
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 24, 2025
Trump suggested shifting responsibility for disaster management from federal agencies to state governments. "When North Carolina gets hit, the governor should take care of it. When Florida gets hit, the governor takes care of it,” Trump said. "It’ll cost less than half, and you’ll get a much quicker response.”
Watch:
"FEMA Has Really Let The Country Down.” @POTUS & @FLOTUS Arrive In North Carolina pic.twitter.com/O7jCmDW0jA
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 24, 2025
Building a Team for Recovery
Trump announced he would collaborate with Democratic Governor Josh Stein and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley, a North Carolina native. Whatley revealed that three Republican Congress members whose districts were hard hit in the state— Chuck Edwards, Virginia Fox, and Tim Moore—would join a committee overseeing Trump’s federal response to the state’s issues.
"The people of North Carolina have been unfairly treated,” Trump said. "We’re going to fix it as fast as we can. This group is going to be great, and we’re going to get it done.”
Trump also outlined plans to "take over” where FEMA has fallen short, saying, "We’ll supply a lot of the money, but the state might need to chip in a little something—maybe 25%. But we’ll make up for lost time.”
Steve Bannon’s Commentary
WarRoom host Steve Bannon weighed in on the visit’s significance, praising Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn for covering this "historic” event. Bannon reminded his audience that Trump’s swift action aligns with his campaign promise to prioritize Americans.
"We Back This Guy, We Back This Movement.” Steve Bannon And Brian Glenn On How MAGA Media Such As @RealAmVoice & Others Helped Deliver President To Victory @brianglenntv pic.twitter.com/JFknKG6YdD
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 24, 2025
"Trump is keeping his word—America First,” Bannon said. He also pointed out Trump’s signing of an executive order to reform FEMA, which he believes will mark a turning point in disaster management.
Taking Aim at California and Other Issues
During a period of press questions, Trump contrasted his North Carolina visit with California’s ongoing challenges. "Everybody’s talking about California, and that’s a mess,” he remarked, referencing the state’s water policies. "I’m not going to California until I stop in North Carolina.”
He criticized California for prioritizing environmental concerns, like water distribution, over basic needs. "Millions of gallons of water are waiting to be poured down, but they’re being routed out to the Pacific,” Trump said. "It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Trump also addressed immigration, boasting about deporting "bad, hard criminals” and promised to push for voter ID laws. "People want voter ID,” he said. "You want proof of citizenship. That’s just common sense.”
A Symbol of “America First”
When asked if his visit symbolizes his "America First” agenda, Trump responded enthusiastically. "We’re putting America first. We’re putting North Carolina first,” he said.
Trump ended his remarks by emphasizing the importance of swift and effective action: "We’re going to visit the site, figure out a plan for demolition and cleanup. It’s been mishandled, but we’re going to turn it all around.”
Moving Forward
Trump’s visit sets the tone for what his administration aims to achieve in disaster recovery and beyond. His focus on state-level solutions and collaboration across party lines underscores his promise to "knock it out” for the people of North Carolina.
As Trump boarded his motorcade to visit affected areas, Bannon summed it up: "This is Trump at his best—leading from the front, taking action, and putting the forgotten Americans first.”
Resource for this report:
Executive Order signed Jan. 20, 2025, DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY
For more context, watch Friday’s full WarRoom:
Join WarRoom Live with Steve Bannon
https://t.co/IJkl24ydaN— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 24, 2025
