President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Wisconsin will receive $22.6 million in federal disaster assistance to help communities recover from the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that struck the state this spring, following outreach from Congressman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany, as well as other Republican members of the state’s congressional delegation.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social after speaking directly with Tiffany, writing that he had informed the congressman “that the Great State of Wisconsin has been approved to be given $22.6 Million Dollars in its Disaster Declaration Request, for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding.”
“The wonderful people of Wisconsin are in good hands with Tom,” Trump wrote, again touting his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Tiffany’s campaign for governor.
Tiffany said he had worked with the White House after the storms to help secure federal assistance for affected communities.
“When severe weather hit Wisconsin, I called the White House to help secure the federal support our state needs,” Tiffany said. “I appreciate President Trump and his administration for their partnership as we work together to help every affected community recover.”
The approval comes after months of recovery efforts in communities hit by destructive spring storms and flooding.
But not everybody was happy with the news.
The announcement sparked an immediate political response from Gov. Tony Evers, who criticized Trump for pairing the disaster declaration with his endorsement of Tiffany’s gubernatorial campaign.
“Here’s my statement on President Trump posting about his endorsement for governor while he plays politics with disaster funds Wisconsin needs to rebuild after multiple severe weather events over the last year,” Evers wrote on X, later expressing frustration that the White House informed Tiffany of the approval but did not contact him directly.
The aid announcement follows previous claims made by Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Devin Remiker following a Trump appearance with Tiffany and Congressman Derrick Van Orden in Chippewa Falls in early June. Remiker, without any evidence, accused the president of mocking Wisconsin’s disaster relief request.
“Trump just mocked and laughed off the request from Governor Tony Evers for more disaster relief aid in Wisconsin after devastating flooding,” Remiker wrote at the time. “He’s on stage with Derrick Van Orden and Tom Tiffany who signed a letter asking them to release the relief funding.”
Just weeks later, Trump announced that Wisconsin’s disaster declaration had been approved, crediting Tiffany as he unveiled the $22.6 million in federal assistance for communities recovering from the storms.
The disaster funding will help support recovery efforts in areas impacted by severe weather across Wisconsin as local governments continue rebuilding following this spring’s storms, tornadoes, and flooding.
