From Staff Reports

GASTONIA, N.C. — During a Sept. 16 campaign rally in Gastonia, U.S. President Donald J. Trump joked that he would withhold future Hurricane Helene recovery and FEMA funding from Western North Carolina — if Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley loses his election.

However, he immediately added, “No, I’m only kidding. You’re getting it.”

The context of the rally remarks was as follows:

• Event: Campaign rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport on Sept. 16

• Target: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley (facing Democrat Roy Cooper).

• The quote: Trump stated, “If Michael loses, I’m not sending it. OK? No, I’m only kidding.”

Details of the immediate backlash are as follows:

• N.C. governor’s reaction: State Gov. Josh Stein criticized the remark on social media and in interviews, stating it was inappropriate to tie disaster recovery to political outcomes.

• WNC recovery context: Western North Carolina has faced a lengthy and politically charged recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, with ongoing debates over federal relief packages.

• Wider criticism: Democratic governors and national critics condemned the quip as insensitive to communities still struggling to rebuild.

Afterward. Republican state Representative Jennifer Balkcom, who is running for a U.S. congressional seat and spoke at the rally, stated that Trump was not literally threatening to withhold Helene disaster relief, but was instead actively urging voters to support Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley during a campaign rally in Gastonia.

Balkcom’s perspective included the following points:

• No literal threat: Balkcom argued Trump wasn’t serious about cutting disaster funds.

• Voter persuasion: She claimed he used the remark to pressure voters to back Whatley.

• Political rallying: The interaction, she said, aimed to energize local support for the GOP senate nominee.

Meanwhile, Jamie Ager, Balkcom’s Democratic rival for a House seat, slammed Trump’s remarks about conditioning Helene recovery funds on the Senate race, stating that whole communities are still struggling — and that “words matter.”