Trump Makes Ugly New Threat About What He'll Do If His Candidate Loses

Trump Makes Ugly New Threat About What He’ll Do If His Candidate Loses

admin Sep 17, 2026 0

President Donald Trump drew groans from supporters in North Carolina after saying he’d withhold FEMA disaster-relief money from the state if Michael Whatley (R) wasn’t elected to the U.S. Senate in November.

While stumping for Whatley, who is currently trailing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) in the polls, Trump quickly added he was just joking.

“We spent more than $2 billion in FEMA funding. And you know, you’re waiting for some additional money to take care of some of the back. And I’m going to get that to you, Michael. Now, if Michael loses, I’m not sending it, okay?” Trump said. “No, I’m only kidding. You’re getting it.”

Trump: “We spent more than $2 billion in FEMA funding. You’re waiting for some additional funding. I’m gonna get that to you. Now if Michael loses, I’m not sending it.”

Crowd: *groans* pic.twitter.com/RdZBi1qLfq

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 17, 2026

While the president may have said the comment was a joke, his history of politicizing disaster relief suggests he may have meant it when he said he would withhold the money if Cooper wins the election.

During his second term, Trump has repeatedly denied federal disaster aid to Democrat-run states while approving it for Republican ones. A Politico report revealed in July that the president overruled officials within his own administration and denied disaster aid to four Democrat-led states: New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.

The Trump administration’s own statistics showed the president had rejected disaster aid for Democrat-run states at a higher rate than any other president in FEMA’s 47-year history, Politico reported in March. That same report also indicated Trump only approved 23% of disaster aid requests from states with a Democratic governor and two Democratic senators.

In contrast, he approved disaster relief requests at an 89% clip for states with a Republican governor and two Republican senators.

North Carolina is still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024, which took the lives of at least 107 people and caused nearly $60 billion in damages in the state.