Trump threatens to withhold disaster funding for North Carolina over voting choice

President Donald Trump addressed supporters at a campaign rally for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley in Gastonia, claiming he would withhold disaster relief funding for North Carolina unless voters elected Whatley. Trump later clarified that he was joking, but the promise was part of a broader threat that tied state aid to election outcomes.

During the hour‑long speech, Trump praised the Republican response to Hurricane Helene, noting that the administration had provided more than $2 billion in FEMA funding to repair damage from the storm that killed 107 people and destroyed over 125,000 homes. He said he would deliver additional money to the state if Whatley won, but would withhold it otherwise.

The president also reiterated his pledge to give every U.S. adult $5,000 if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in November, warning that a Democratic victory would lead to a “massive depression.” He echoed earlier July reports that he had rejected $227 million in disaster aid for four Democratic‑led states and referenced a June CNN story about potential cuts to homeland security funding for states that did not make certain election‑related changes.

Trump’s address focused heavily on crime, describing North Carolina as “overwhelmed by lawlessness” and citing the fatal stabbing of a 23‑year‑old Ukrainian refugee on a train. He portrayed Whatley as a tough law‑and‑order candidate who would crack down on crime, and noted that Whatley will face former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in the November election. During the rally, a heckler was escorted away, prompting Trump to react humorously before returning to his campaign themes.