SUMMARY: On January 24, 2025, President Donald Trump visited western North Carolina to address the recovery from Hurricane Helene, which caused significant devastation and claimed 104 lives in the state. During this first domestic trip of his presidency, Trump criticized FEMA’s handling of disaster relief, asserting, “FEMA has really let us down.” He promised congressional fiscal support and announced plans for coordinated recovery efforts, involving state and federal resources. Trump emphasized his commitment to prioritizing North Carolina’s recovery, with funding likely exceeding $9 billion. His visit included meetings with local leaders and discussions focusing on essential assistance for affected communities.

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SUMMARY: During a visit to western North Carolina to assess Hurricane Helene’s damage, President Trump suggested potentially eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stating it has been a “big disappointment” and proposing a direct payout system for states. He criticized FEMA’s bureaucracy and slow response times, implying that local governments should manage recovery independently. Trump also mentioned plans to reform FEMA via an executive order. While he acknowledged the challenges from the disaster, including misinformation, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein expressed gratitude for Trump’s visit and requested additional relief funds. Critics, like Democratic Rep. Deborah Ross, opposed Trump’s idea to abolish FEMA.

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SUMMARY: A freshman congressman from North Carolina, Rep. Addison McDowell, has proposed changing Dulles International Airport’s name to Donald J. Trump International Airport. The bill, supported by several Republican colleagues, aims to honor Trump alongside Ronald Reagan, whose airport is already named in his honor. McDowell believes this change respects the contributions of both presidents to the nation. Dulles, which served over 26 million passengers last year, was dedicated in 1962 and named after former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. The Airports Authority noted a combined total of 53.1 million passengers for Dulles and Reagan National in that period.

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