At a campaign stop in storm-damaged Swannanoa on Monday, former President Donald Trump said he has no reason to doubt the upcoming election results out of western North Carolina.
Asked if he had concerns about the election results not being credible, Trump said, "No, I think in a way it's the opposite. I mean, we're so impressed. And I think they have a pretty good system here."
Earlier this month, bipartisan state Board of Elections members authorized counties in the disaster zone to make necessary changes to early voting sites or precincts in order to accommodate voter access.
Trump commended Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley and added, "I have not heard any complaints about that."
Trump has repeatedly made false claims about the election results of 2020 when he lost the White House to President Joe Biden.
North Carolina set records for voter turnout on the first day of early voting last week.
"It's a tragedy. But the fact that they'd come out and vote in record numbers is pretty amazing to me," Trump said.
READ MORE: Your Vote: Western North Carolina Voter Guide
At the visit, Trump continued to spread false information about FEMA.
He repeated the lie that FEMA money intended for victims of the storm was instead going to people who are in the country undocumented.
"They spent a lot of money on bringing illegal migrants, people that came into our country illegally, and taking them in. And all of the money they've spent, numbers that nobody can even believe. So they don't have any money for the people that live here," Trump said Monday.
While FEMA does have a Shelter and Services Program, which provides grants for local governments and nonprofits to take care of undocumented immigrants, the funds come from a separate budget. There is no evidence that any money from the disaster fund was used to help undocumented migrants.
Business owners and elected officials flanked Trump during the Monday press event near the Diamondback 4x4 business in Swannanoa. Some Republican lawmakers including 11th District Congressman Chuck Edwards have refuted Trump's lies. Edwards appeared at the event, standing behind Trump as the former President, but did not speak out against the misinformation Trump offered.
Trump's visit to the Asheville area followed flyovers from Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden earlier this month. In comments made on Sept. 30, Biden said he did not want to visit the area because it would be "disruptive if I did right now." Trump's visit shut down major highways like I-26 and I-40 for a period of time Monday.
Trump's visit comes two weeks before the general election. The former president is scheduled to appear later today in Greenville, N.C., and Concord, N.C. He will hold a rally in Greensboro tomorrow.
