Fact Check: "Trump denied seven disaster funding requests this spring."
What We Know
In the spring of 2025, the Trump administration denied seven disaster mitigation funding requests from various states, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, and Mississippi, which had experienced severe weather events such as storms and wildfires. These requests were made through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (Oklahoma Watch). Unlike the Biden administration, which automatically approves such grants, the Trump administration has adopted a more selective approach, resulting in these denials (Bloomberg).
The requests denied included significant appeals for funding after devastating incidents, such as tornadoes in Missouri that resulted in fatalities and extensive damage (Oklahoma Watch). Lawmakers from the affected states expressed confusion and concern over the denials, indicating that the need for federal assistance was critical given the scale of the disasters (Oklahoma Watch).
Analysis
The claim that Trump denied seven disaster funding requests this spring is supported by multiple credible sources. The information comes from reports by Oklahoma Watch and Bloomberg, which detail the specific requests made by states and the subsequent denials from the Trump administration.
The reliability of these sources is bolstered by their focus on factual reporting and the direct quotes from lawmakers involved in the funding requests, which provide context and corroborate the claims made. For instance, Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley both expressed their concerns regarding the denials, highlighting the impact on their states (Oklahoma Watch).
Furthermore, the Trump administration's stated rationale for denying these requests—monitoring the approval of HMGP with states’ ability to execute funds—does not negate the fact that the denials occurred. This selective approval process marks a significant shift from previous administrations, which typically provided more automatic support for disaster relief (Oklahoma Watch).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump denied seven disaster funding requests this spring" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the Trump administration indeed denied these requests, reflecting a significant change in the federal approach to disaster funding compared to previous administrations. The denials have raised concerns among lawmakers about the adequacy of disaster relief for states facing severe weather challenges.
