Trump visits disaster areas in North Carolina and California: NPR

President Trump, standing here with First Lady Melania Trump, speaks to reporters at the White House before departing for his trip to North Carolina and California on January 24.

Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images

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Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump will make the first trip of his term to North Carolina and California on Friday, visiting communities struggling to recover from natural disasters.

In Fletcher, North Carolina, Trump receives a briefing on recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene – and then meets with families in Swannanoa.

Trump, who has been critical of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, reiterated some of his complaints after landing in Asheville, North Carolina

“They were abused by what happened,” Trump said. “FEMA has truly failed us and the country.”

He vowed to “provide the money – a big chunk of the money” for reconstruction. But Trump also said he believes state governments should deal with disasters.

Later Friday, he will tour the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and learn about the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles.

Trump said he felt North Carolina was treated “unfairly” by the Biden administration after Hurricane Helene, which struck in the middle of the presidential campaign. He has said without evidence that Democrats withheld aid from Republican areas.

He has also indicated that he sees aid to California as leverage to gain support from congressional Democrats for some of his legislative priorities.

This is an ongoing story and may be updated.