**Trump's Disaster Response Criticized for Political Bias, Details Emerge on Past Actions**

Former President Donald Trump has lambasted the Biden administration's handling of Hurricane Helene, accusing Democrats of neglecting Republican storm victims. However, a review by POLITICO's E&E News and interviews with former Trump White House officials reveal that Trump himself displayed partisan behavior during disaster responses. It was found that, on at least three occasions, Trump hesitated to provide aid to areas perceived as politically opposed to him or favored those that supported him.

Mark Harvey, former senior director for resilience policy on the National Security Council under Trump, recounted an incident in 2018 where Trump initially declined to approve aid for California following deadly wildfires due to the state's Democratic tendencies. Harvey managed to change Trump's mind by highlighting that heavily damaged Orange County had a substantial number of Trump supporters.

This revelation has sparked criticism on social media, with President Joe Biden remarking that presidential duty should not be contingent on political support. Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the episode as a cautionary tale should Trump be re-elected. While the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment, former officials like Harvey and Olivia Troye suggested that Trump is using Hurricane Helene for political gains, noting his partisan tactics even in the face of a disaster that claimed over 170 lives in six states.

In one striking exchange, Troye, who has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, pointed out that Trump's disaster response was frequently marred by political calculations, often ignoring genuine needs unless pressured. She cited instances where local leaders had to seek Vice President Mike Pence's intervention to secure necessary aid.

Trump's penchant for politicizing disaster relief was also visible in his interactions with receptive states. He swiftly acceded to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' request for full federal coverage of Hurricane Michael recovery costs, citing Trump's substantial support in the Florida Panhandle. Conversely, Trump threatened to veto a similarly robust aid package for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, which resulted in over 3,000 deaths. Reports criticized the FEMA response during Trump's tenure, including delays and logistical issues in Puerto Rico, further aggravating the situation.

These disparities in disaster response were underscored by Trump's directive for "A Plus treatment" in Alabama following tornado destruction in 2019, highlighting a pattern of favoritism based on political loyalty. However, former FEMA Administrator Brock Long has denied any political bias in Trump's aid distribution, emphasizing the challenges of depoliticizing disaster response.

Ultimately, Trump's record shows uneven treatment of disaster-stricken regions, influenced by political considerations. This insight serves as a critical lens through which to view current and future disaster responses under different administrations.