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Trump to visit Asheville area today after Hurricane Helene damage

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
Alex Brandon/AP
/
AP
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.

Former President Donald Trump will visit the Asheville area Monday in his first visit to western North Carolina since Hurricane Helene swept through the region.

The storm left thousands of properties damaged or destroyed. Trump is coming to the region to "see the devastation of Hurricane Helene first-hand and deliver remarks to the press," according to his campaign.

His visit comes days after U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured some of the most impacted sites in the region, including the River Arts District and I-40.

President Joe Biden flew over the area to survey the damage days after the storm.

Biden, in comments made on Sept. 30, said he did not want to visit the area because it would be "disruptive if I did right now."

It is unclear which roads roads will be closed for the former President's visit.

Trump's visit comes two weeks before election day and he plans other stops in North Carolina throughout Monday.

The former President has repeatedly made false claims regarding FEMA assistance to the area, at times contradicting state lawmakers who are members of his own party.

Gerard Albert is the Western North Carolina rural communities reporter for BPR News.
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