The former president Donald Trump returned to North Carolina Monday to reassure the communities devastated by Hurricane Florence that they are not forgotten. He also promised to support their rebuilding efforts should he be elected as president.

Mr. Trump claimed that the Biden-Harris Administration, and in particular the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), had failed to respond and that outside organizations and private citizens have filled the gap.

He said: “I find it a disgrace that FEMA’s rescue effort was so poor.” “Their rescue efforts were almost nonexistent.”

“I’m with you and the American people will be with you every step of the way.” He said, “We will continue to be there for you” at a press event in Asheville.

The Democratic campaign of Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, said that Mr. Trump spread lies that distracted from recovery efforts and hurt families who needed help.

The Charlotte Observer also published a headline: “Shame to Donald Trump for making NC’s Helene tragedy worse with political lies.”

Hurricane Helene destroyed western North Carolina. It destroyed homes, roads, and entire towns. In other states in the southeast, more than 100 people also died from the storm’s flooding and other effects.

Biden-Harris responded to the hurricanes Helene, Milton and their aftermath by providing $1.8 billion of federal aid to those affected.

FEMA has sent over 4,400 personnel in the areas affected by the two storms.

Mr. Trump consistently criticizes the White House response. He even suggested early on that Biden-Harris was “going out of their way not to help people in Republican regions.”

Trump has also criticized Democratic Governors. Roy Cooper, while praising the Republican Governors. Ron DeSantis and Brian Kemp have both handled the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

If elected, Mr. Trump has promised to accelerate federal assistance by cutting through bureaucratic paperwork and leading “the reconstruction of every town and area.”

He said, “I think, on Jan. 20, a new team will be coming to help you properly.”