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Trump surveys damage from Hurricane Helene in Georgia
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Trump surveys damage from Hurricane Helene in Georgia

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WASHINGTON — Donald Trump implemented the politics of disaster on Monday by traveling to storm-hit Georgia to survey damage from Hurricane Helene, though he steered clear of direct criticism of President Joe Biden and his 2024 White House rival , Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We’re not talking about politics right now,” Trump told reporters near a gutted store in Valdosta, Georgia.

At one point, Trump said that “we do need some help from the federal government.” He also said that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — a Republican who did not appear at the event — tried to reach Biden about aid but had been unable to reach the president.

The White House was quick to point out that Biden and Kemp had indeed spoken. In an offered that if there are any other things we need, just to call him directly, and I appreciate that.”

Trump said he had brought truckloads of relief supplies to Georgia, and the former president sought to encourage residents as they recover from the remnant of a Category 4 storm that killed at least 100 and damaged more than 2 million homes and businesses across the region resulted in. without electricity.

“I would have bought some furniture if you had some in it,” Trump joked at one point.

“It is called an hour of emergency,” the Republican presidential candidate also told his supporters.

Trump’s presidential campaign added Monday’s trip to Valdosta to its Sunday schedule. The campaign said in a statement that Trump “will receive a briefing on the devastation of Hurricane Helene, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies and provide remarks to the press.”

Trump and his aides have already begun to criticize the Biden administration’s response, including the lack of a visit by Biden and Harris, even as officials on the ground are only now assessing the extent of the damage. Administration officials have said Harris and Biden do not want to divert police and first responders for VIP security as they are just beginning the recovery and cleanup.

“The Vice President plans to visit affected communities as soon as possible without disrupting emergency response operations,” a government statement said.