Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump, shifted their focus Monday from the usual campaigning in order to concentrate on the emergency response following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane devastated the region which includes North Carolina and Georgia – two states that are considered battlegrounds for the upcoming elections.

Mr. Trump visited Valdosta in Georgia to provide relief aid and to survey the damage. He also met with local and state officials.

At a presser with Rev. Franklin Graham’s nondenominational evangelical Christian aid organization Samaritan’s Purse provides aid to hurricane victims.

Mr. Trump was there with supplies.

He said, “We have truckloads full of different things, from water to oil and all kinds of equipment to help.” “We are here to show our complete solidarity with those in Georgia who are suffering and the people of Georgia.”

He said that it was time to leave politics behind.

“As you may know, we are in the final week of a national election that has been hard fought, but at a time such as this, when crisis strikes, and our citizens cry out for help, none of it matters,” said Mr. Trump. “We’re not discussing politics right now. “We need to get everyone together and solve this problem.”

Mr. Graham has been leading Samaritan’s Purse’s humanitarian relief missions for over 40 years. He appealed to volunteers and supporters.

Sometimes, when a storm of this magnitude occurs, people assume that God is angry with them. “Maybe this is God’s judgment. No, God loves you,” said Mr. Graham. How do I know this? The Bible says that God loves and cares about us. There are storms, but God will help us to get through them if we trust and put our faith in Jesus Christ.

Ms. Harris shortened her West Coast tour to return to Washington to attend a briefing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on recovery efforts. She stated that the federal government will provide any assistance needed by communities in response to this devastation.

Ms. Harris told FEMA’s headquarters that she would do “everything in her power” to assist communities with their response and recovery. I do believe that the true character and strength of a nation are revealed during times of difficulty.

She thanked FEMA workers for their efforts and called the destruction and deaths “heartbreaking”.

As she turned to the workers behind her, Ms. Harris said: “You all are so selfless and dedicated in your service to our country.” “You do this work 24/7 as if these were your family members.”

In the 40 days remaining before Election Day, both Ms. Harris, and Mr. Trump, are in a close race in states that could swing votes, such as Georgia and North Carolina. Both were hard hit by Hurricane Florence. More than 600 people are still missing after the storm, which has claimed more than 120 lives in six states.

In a post on social media before his arrival in Georgia, Donald Trump expressed doubts as to whether the Biden Administration and North Carolina Governor would be able to help people living in Trump-friendly areas. Roy Cooper, a Democrat from North Carolina, is committed to helping those in Trump-friendly regions.

“I’ll get there soon, but I don’t like what I hear about the Federal Government and the Democrat governor of the state, who are going out of their ways to not help the people in Republican areas,” said Mr. Trump. “MAGA!”

He focused on a picture Ms. Harris had posted online, showing her talking on the telephone on the vice-presidential plane. The caption said that FEMA Administrator Deanne Critswell just informed her of the damage caused by the storm.

“Another FAKED and STAGED picture from someone who doesn’t know what she’s doing,” said Mr. Trump. “They left Americans to drowned in North Carolina Georgia Tennessee Alabama and other parts of the South.”

In Georgia, he toned down that message.

Trump stated in Valdosta that “we do need some assistance from the federal government.” “I’m sure they will come through but [Georgia Governor] is not going to be able to do it.” Brian Kemp has tried to reach the president, but has not been successful. “But he will deliver, I’m sure.”

The Harris campaign stated that she spoke with Mr. Cooper, and had contacted Mr. Kemp as well as Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis is a Republican.

Kemp, a Republican on Monday, claimed that he spoke with Biden Sunday.

Kemp stated, “The President called me yesterday afternoon.” “I called him back because I missed him, and he said, Hey, what do you want?

“I told him that we have what we need. We will follow the federal process. “He offered to let us know if we needed anything else, and I really appreciated that,” said Mr. Kemp.

Mr. Kemp claimed he was playing “phonetag” with Ms. Harris. However, the two connected when the vice president flew back east on Air Force Two.

Ms. Harris raised money at political events held in California and Mr. Biden stayed at his beach home in Delaware as the storm tore through the Southeast.

The president was furious when a journalist asked why Mr. Biden or Ms. Harris were not physically present in Washington on the weekend given the need to direct federal response.

“I was in command.” “I was on the telephone for at least 2 hours yesterday, and also the day before,” said Mr. Biden. “I commanded. “It’s called a phone.”

The White House denied that Mr. Biden was not taking Mr. Kemp’s calls. Both men claimed to have spoken.

Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood Randall told reporters at the White House that the President would take the call if the Governor wanted to talk to him again.

Ms. Criswell has been traveling to Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina for the last three days. Mr. Biden told her to stay in Asheville, North Carolina, which is a hard-hit area.

Mr. Biden stated, “I want to let them know that we won’t leave until the job is completed.”

The White House announced Monday that ten federal search and recovery teams are working in the affected areas, and nine more teams will be arriving soon. This totals to 900 people.

Mr. Biden stated that he plans to ask Congress for additional funding to assist recovery efforts.

The lawmakers are in recess from now until November. Mr. Biden stated that he “may consider” asking Congress to return for storm funding.

Later, Mr. Biden invited reporters to the Oval Office where he had been on a videoconference call with Ms. Criswell and Mr. Cooper. He announced that on Wednesday he would travel to North Carolina, visit the FEMA Operations Center at Raleigh and do an aerial tour.

He said that he would visit Georgia and Florida as soon as possible to assess the damage.

Biden was angry when a reporter questioned him about Trump’s claim, that the federal government didn’t help Republican areas.

Biden stated, “He is lying and the Governor told him that he was lying.” “I’ve spoken to you about it”