exclusive – J.D. Vance, in his first term as VP, ‘fulfilled his promise’ to American voters to Damascus, Virginia, Monday, late September to visit areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
this will be Vance’s second trip to Damascus The hurricane has devastated parts of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and killed more than 200 people since it swept through the Southeast on September 27.
“Vice President Vance visited with residents of Damascus in October,” a spokesperson for the vice president told Fox News Digital. “He promised to come back, and now he has fulfilled his promise. This term The first week of administration has made it clear that President Trump and Vice President Vance are keeping their word.”
Vance’s trip comes just days after Donald Trump, Melania Trump and other politicians visited Asheville, North Carolina, with Fletcher and Swannanoa on Jan. 24. The sitting president’s second trip since September.
Hurricane survivor who met Trump in North Carolina shares the president’s words
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance looks on as his wife Usha Vance is sworn in during the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Washington. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Trump spoke in all three towns but allowed a group of locals to lose everything in Helene to share their own personal stories from their stay in Swannanoa. Some locals have questions about FEMA’s handling of the disaster, saying it has too much red tape for people who need immediate help to get the help they need, whether it’s housing, money or two. Both.
“I will also sign an executive order to begin fundamental reforms and OverhaulFEMA“I think, frankly, FEMA is bad,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina on Friday morning.
FEMA expands transitional housing program for North Carolina residents
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to communities affected by hurricane Swannanoa in North Carolina on January 24, 2025. .
Trump also pledged that his administration would step in and assist North Carolina in quickly resolving the damage, vowing to “do a good job for the country.”
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“We’re going to fix it, we’re going to fix it as quickly as we can,” Trump said. “It’s a huge hurt. FEMA has really failed us. It’s failed the country. I don’t know if it’s Biden’s fault or not. Who’s to blame, but we’re going to take over and do a good job.”
Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.