Fact Check: Missouri officials are appealing Trump's denial of over $30 million in disaster aid.

Fact Check: Missouri Officials Are Appealing Trump's Denial of Over $30 Million in Disaster Aid

What We Know

The claim that Missouri officials are appealing a denial of over $30 million in disaster aid from President Trump is misleading. As of May 23, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that President Trump approved two major disaster declarations for Missouri in response to severe storms and flooding that occurred in March and April 2025 (source-1). The approval allows for Individual Assistance to eligible residents in 18 counties affected by the March storms and Public Assistance for local governments in 20 counties.

Additionally, on May 19, 2025, Governor Kehoe requested further federal assistance for six counties impacted by severe storms on April 29, which is still under review (source-3). There is no indication that there has been a formal denial of disaster aid amounting to $30 million, nor is there evidence of an appeal process currently underway.

Analysis

The assertion that Missouri officials are appealing a denial of disaster aid lacks substantiation. The information available indicates that while there are ongoing requests for disaster declarations and assistance, there has been no official denial from President Trump regarding the aid. The requests for assistance are part of the normal process following disaster declarations, and the state is actively working with FEMA to secure funding (source-1).

Moreover, a recent article noted that lawmakers were uncertain about why certain disaster mitigation grants were denied, but it did not specifically mention an appeal regarding the $30 million in disaster aid (source-6). This suggests that while there may be concerns about funding, the claim of an active appeal regarding a specific denial is not supported by the current facts.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, including official statements from the Missouri Governor's office and FEMA press releases. However, the claim in question appears to be based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the ongoing processes related to disaster aid.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that Missouri officials are appealing Trump's denial of over $30 million in disaster aid is false. There is no evidence of a denial or an appeal process currently in place. Instead, Missouri has received approval for disaster assistance for certain events, and additional requests are still under review.

Fact Check: Missouri officials are appealing Trump's denial of over $30 million in disaster aid.