Response to Hurricane Helene in Hot Springs, NC

Hot Springs, North Carolina’s Mayor Abby Norton mentioned on Thursday that recovery efforts in her town have been quicker under President Donald Trump compared to the Biden administration following Hurricane Helene, which struck in 2024.

Hurricane Helene made its way from Florida to Ohio in September 2024, affecting states including South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, leading to over 200 fatalities. King, who appeared on “Leave with Jake Tupper,” spoke with residents in Hot Springs regarding the aftermath. He noted that much of the downtown area remains in disarray and highlighted that Norton had voted for a third-party candidate in the previous presidential election.

“What Washington expected is to jump in quickly and either secure funding to fix everything or make the repairs themselves. But that’s not how it goes,” Norton stated.

The Biden administration, along with FEMA, faced sharp criticism for their handling of natural disaster responses, particularly for the perceived lack of support in hard-hit regions.

In its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, FEMA prioritized “fair” among its objectives. Under Biden, in August 2023, FEMA conducted training focused on “white hegemony,” during a time when over 1,000 residents went missing after the Maui wildfire.

King posed a question to Norton about the apparent differences in assistance between the Trump and Biden administrations.

“Honestly, I’m not a politician. I’ve never been one. But I think Trump’s approach has been better than Biden’s,” Norton replied.

King pressed for clarification on whether the Trump administration was “more effective and responsive.”

“Absolutely. Things are progressing faster and we’re getting more help,” Norton affirmed.

In October 2024, Republican Representative Brian Mast from Florida called on President Biden’s administration to halt a $300 million foreign aid package intended for Gaza and instead direct that funding towards Hurricane Helene victims. At the time, the Biden administration had announced further humanitarian assistance for Gaza and the West Bank, despite pushback from residents struggling to rebuild.

In January, Trump made an official visit to North Carolina, meeting families affected by the hurricane and discussing their challenges. This visit marked his second trip to the area since the hurricane made landfall, following his visit right after the storm and just after the November 2024 election.