The Republican president has criticized former President Joe Biden for his administration's response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. As he left the White House, he told reporters that “it’s been a horrible thing the way that’s been allowed to fester” since the storm hit in September, and "we're going to get it fixed up.”

While he has expressed support for North Carolina residents, the president has criticized California’s Democratic leaders and threatened to withhold federal aid from the state.