Governor Josh Stein appeared on national television with Stephen Colbert to criticize the Trump Administration’s handling of Hurricane Helene and other issues. During his appearance, Stein made claims about the administration’s policies, which have been met with counterarguments from political opponents.
According to critics, President Trump’s administration has prioritized reforming FEMA following what they describe as a poor response in Western North Carolina. They argue that while local residents relied on organizations like Samaritan’s Purse for aid, FEMA was criticized for spending millions on illegal immigrants instead of focusing on disaster relief.
Additionally, a FEMA review panel is currently evaluating how disaster relief efforts can be improved moving forward.
Another claim made by Governor Stein suggested that hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians would lose health insurance due to Medicaid cuts. Opponents refute this by stating there are no such cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). They assert that the bill aims to restore Medicaid’s mission for those in need while banning taxpayer funds for transgender surgeries and instituting work requirements for able-bodied individuals.
NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer commented on Stein’s television appearance, saying: “Gov. Stein should spend more time in North Carolina making state government work better and less time on junkets to hobnob with liberal so-called comedians in New York City.”
