NASHVILLE, Tennessee – President Donald Trump arrived in Nashville Friday morning to see, first-hand, the devastation from this week’s tornadoes that claimed 25 lives in Middle Tennessee.
Air Force One landed at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, near Nashville International Airport, at around 10 a.m. Central Standard Time.
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee and his wife Marie, along with U.S. Republican Senate candidate Bill Hagerty, were among the officials who greeted Trump at 10:12 a.m. as he stepped off Air Force One.
President Trump greeted the Tennessee contingent warmly.
Trump didn't speak to pool press nor local press when he arrived. He talked to Gov. Lee, Mayor Cooper and talked the most with U.S. Senate candidate @BillHagertyTN. pic.twitter.com/hCrfzL7Emm
— Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (@SergioMarBel) March 6, 2020
Nashville Mayor John Cooper, Mt. Juliet Mayor Edward Hagerty, Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto, and Benton County Mayor Brett Lashlee also greeted Trump, according to a White House Press Office email.
Trump did not speak to the assembled press and soon boarded a Marine One aircraft to see the aftermath of this week’s tornadoes.
As The Tennessee Star reported, Trump directed aid to Tennessee to supplement state and local recovery efforts due to widespread damage caused by Monday’s overnight storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding.
“The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson Counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,” according to a White House statement.
“Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson Counties. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Lamar Alexander is a huge disappointment to me personally. I still can’t believe the things he has voted on and supported since he has been in office. He has forfeited my vote for the last few years and in the future.
Pretty funny that Lamar Alexander was there. Based on his performance over the last few years, I didn’t think he knew where Tennessee was! Or what values her citizens espouse!
And how exactly did Bill Hagerty wrangle his way onto the tarmac? Mark my words, if Hagerty becomes a US Senator, someday Tennesseans will rue that day.
THANK YOU BROTHER TRUMP! ! !TENNESSEE NEEDS YOU! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NATION!