States are trying to keep disasters apolitical in the new Trump era

Trump's personalization of disaster assistance is chilling Democrats.

August 17, 2025

Governors face a new challenge as they barrel into natural disaster season: navigating President Donald Trump’s increasingly personal approach to awarding federal aid.

In recent weeks, Trump has heralded disaster aid awards to states including Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana via Truth Social — and accompanied Indiana’s $15 million award with a note that he “won BIG” there in the past three general elections. His practice of flattering federal recipients on social media has left state leaders who are still awaiting decisions wondering how to get into his good graces.

There’s no clear evidence he’s making funding decisions based on politics. Rather, it’s Trump’s public statements — indicating he’s making the decisions — that’s making state officials nervous. And Trump’s proposals to dramatically downsize or even get rid of FEMA, and to withhold funding from states over their immigration and energy policies, have officials in Democratic-led states less willing to attack him.

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By:  Natalie Fertig, Gregory Svirnovskiy
Source: Politico