With Franklin Graham by his side, Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, Monday with a message for those affected by Hurricane Helen: “Working together, we will overcome these hardships, we will endure, and we will rebuild Valdosta. We will emerge stronger, more united, and more prosperous than ever before.”
The skies above Valdosta were bright blue as Trump stood amidst the debris of what used to be the Chez What Furniture store. It was a striking scene, not just because of the way the beauty of the day contrasted with the destruction, but also because Trump looked like a national leader ready to do battle while the supposed actual leaders dithered and sunbathed.
Trump flew directly to Valdosta to deliver critical supplies to the victims of Helene.
Biden was at the beach all weekend.
Kamala staged a phone call photo. pic.twitter.com/inPq15OpPC
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 30, 2024
Upon his arrival in Georgia, Trump did what his Democrat opponent fears doing the most — he answered the media’s questions. He was his usual amusing self when noting the tepid efforts of the federal government.
“Have you reached out to President Biden about federal relief efforts?”
President Trump: “No I haven’t reached out to him. I think he’s sleeping right now, actually.” 🖐️🎤 pic.twitter.com/doO4aS5zEs
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 30, 2024
He didn’t let the topic of the Biden administration’s inept handling of the country’s post-Helene needs go, continuing to beat the drum during his remarks in Valdosta: “The people on the ground are doing the best they can in every challenging circumstance. We do need some help from the federal government.” Georgia is, of course, a crucial battleground state, and the lack of assistance from the Biden-Harris White House is not going to go unnoticed by the voters of the Peach State.
But, as Trump noted, it’s not about politics at a life-and-death time like this.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard fought national election. But in a time like this when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters. We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved.”
Trump’s campaign brought much-needed relief supplies with them to Georgia, and the former president also seemed intent on solving the communications problems that have resulted in residents of hard-hit western North Carolina being cut off from family, friends, and rescuers. Trump noted, “I just spoke to him, Elon. We want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever. And Elon will always come through, we know that.”
In stark contrast to Kamala Harris, who has never met an idea that she could capably communicate, Trump got down into the nitty-gritty details of what it will take to help the affected areas recover from the storm and promised he wasn’t going anywhere: “We are going to be with you as long as you need it.”
That’s the kind of reassurance that the victims of Hurricane Helene need to hear right now. They need to know that help is out there and on its way. That they have not been forgotten, even if the lack of response from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris makes it seem that way. They need to know that somebody cares. It’s how presidents and would-be presidents should act.
FULL REMARKS: President Trump Visits Valdosta, Georgia to Deliver Relief to Victims of Hurricane Helene pic.twitter.com/yn9RIiZ1NU
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) September 30, 2024
If you’re interested in helping those affected by Hurricane Helene, our own Jennifer Van Laar has been compiling a list of charities over on X:
🧵Hey y’all – as I find groups who are registered to go into a disaster zone and working to help those in western NC and other areas affected by Helene, I’ll post in this thread.
Here’s the first one: https://t.co/ArepUgQT4X
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) September 28, 2024
