President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he had called U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin’s Republican candidate for governor, to tell him that his administration had approved $22.6 million in “in its Disaster Declaration Request, for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding.”
But the statement didn’t mention Wisconsin’s sitting governor, Democrat Tony Evers, and it didn’t have any additional information.
Trump made the announcement Wednesday evening on his social media platform Truth Social, stating that he called Tiffany “(who has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Governor!).” The statement also boosted other Republican members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.
“The wonderful people of Wisconsin are in good hands with Tom, alongside Senator Ron Johnson, and ‘Trump Endorsed’ Congressmen Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, and Tony Wied. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
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In late May, every Democrat and Republican in Wisconsin’s delegation signed on to a letter urging Trump to approve a disaster declaration for severe April storms that caused an estimated $27 million in damage.
Tiffany, R-Minocqua, responded to the President’s news with a social media post thanking Trump and stating that “when severe weather hit Wisconsin, I called the White House to help secure the federal support our state needs.” U.S. Rep. Wied, R-De Pere, said he is grateful to Trump for approving the state’s assistance request and is glad to see northeast Wisconsin receive the relief it deserves.
“I look forward to seeing these much-needed funds delivered to communities across (the 8th Congressional District) very soon,” said Wied.
Evers: ‘Wisconsinites and I will believe it when we see it’
Evers seemed nonplussed in his own statement posted to social media about Trump’s announcement.
“President Trump and the Trump Administration have declined tens of millions of dollars in Wisconsin disaster relief requests and have been playing politics by withholding emergency FEMA assistance from states across our country that’s supposed to go to helping families and communities rebuild and recover after a disaster—and all while he uses taxpayer dollars to build himself a golden ballroom,” said Evers. “So, Wisconsinites and I will believe it when we see it.”
Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said the governor’s office hasn’t received any formal notification from the Trump administration.
“It’s not at all clear which disaster this is for, which counties will be eligible, or how this supposed funding can be used,” Cudaback said. “We contacted FEMA, and they don’t even have the paperwork.”
When asked by WPR in an email for more details about the type of aid and when it might be arriving, a White House Press account replied “Refer you to the TRUTH,” referencing Trump’s social media post.
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