‘I’m Not Sure That He’s Even Aware’: JD Vance Can’t Say if Trump Knows About Wisconsin Disaster Relief Request

Vice President JD Vance did not have much to offer a reporter in Wisconsin who asked about potential federal aid to the state amid historic floods.

Earlier this month, heavy rains prompted substantial flooding that caused more than $70 million in damage to private and public structures. On Wednesday, Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed a formal disaster declaration request to President Donald Trump.

Speaking in La Crosse on Thursday, Vance took questions from reporters.

“Yesterday, Governor Tony Evers requested a disaster declaration from President Trump after the historic flooding that we’ve seen in the Milwaukee area,” noted Anthony DaBruzzi of Spectrum News. “So, can Wisconsinites count on the administration for financial help through this?”

“So, obviously, look, we wanna help people,” Vance responded. “We wanna help our fellow citizens. And I know that Wisconsin has some serious problems. I have not talked to the president of the United States. I’m not even sure that he’s aware yet that the governor has issued that disaster declaration. But I will take it to Washington, D.C., and make sure we respond to it properly. Thank you, Sir.”

On Aug. 13, Evers requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency work with the state to conduct a damage assessment. It took FEMA eight days to send representatives to the scene, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“I’m urging President Trump to do the right thing and make the appropriate presidential disaster declaration in coordination with the preliminary damage assessment — and quickly and without delay,” the governor said. “The folks and families whose homes, businesses, schools, and community centers were severely damaged by this severe weather event are counting on this relief.”

Watch above via C-SPAN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!