Trump Brings Message Of Faith To Hurricane-Hit State
Former President Donald Trump frequently referenced God during his visit to Georgia on Monday, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump shared a video of his speech in Valdosta, Georgia, one of the areas heavily impacted by the storm. Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, traveled to the region to assess the damage after Hurricane Helene caused severe destruction across the southern United States.
“God is with us in our hearts, and the American people are stronger than any challenge that comes our way,” Trump said. “Together, we will overcome these challenges, rebuild Valdosta, and all the towns hit so hard. We will come out stronger, more united, and more prosperous than ever before.” He concluded the clip by stating, “We pray to God for those who were injured, and especially for those who are no longer with us.”
In a separate post containing the full video of his remarks, Trump addressed families affected by the storm in Georgia, North Carolina, and the wider region. “You are in our prayers today and in the difficult weeks ahead,” he wrote. “We love you, we are with you, and we will return again and again.”
During his visit, Trump was accompanied by Rev. Franklin Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, along with volunteers from the organization and various state and local officials. Standing alongside them, Trump led a moment of silence and prayer for those who lost their lives during the storm.
In addition to invoking God’s name throughout his speech, Trump also launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Hurricane Helene victims. By Tuesday evening, the campaign had surpassed $3.3 million, well over its initial $1 million goal.
Five days after the storm struck the Florida Gulf Coast and caused catastrophic flooding across multiple southern states, millions of people remain without electricity. According to Poweroutage.us, over 400,000 customers in Georgia, nearly 600,000 in South Carolina, and around 400,000 in North Carolina are still experiencing power outages. Florida and Virginia also have tens of thousands still in the dark.
President Joe Biden addressed the damage caused by the storm in an update on Tuesday, noting, “There are reports of over 100 people dead and up to 600 missing because they can’t be contacted.” Over the weekend, Biden approved major disaster declarations in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, while a similar declaration was issued for Georgia on Monday, unlocking federal assistance for affected areas. Emergency declarations have also been approved for Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, enabling federal aid for evacuation and shelter support. Biden is expected to visit North Carolina later in the week to assess the damage firsthand.