President Donald Trump has approved nearly $18 million in federal disaster assistance for Wisconsin following a July tornado that damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 buildings in Menasha. The announcement came more than six weeks after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers formally requested federal support for communities affected by the storm.
The decision followed a CBS News report examining the prolonged wait for assistance and disparities in federal disaster approvals across states. While the White House denied that political considerations influenced the process, the announcement prompted sharply different reactions from Wisconsin officials and residents still recovering from the destruction.
Federal Assistance Follows Weeks of Uncertainty in Wisconsin
Trump announced the funding Wednesday, October 7, through Truth Social, saying he had spoken with Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany, his endorsed candidate for Wisconsin governor. The president said approximately $17.9 million would be approved for damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes.
According to Wisconsin Watch, the Federal Emergency Management Agency subsequently confirmed that federal assistance was available for recovery efforts related to the July 27 storms. Its announcement did not specify a funding amount but outlined several forms of assistance for affected communities.
These include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans, and other programs supporting individuals and families. Assistance was also made available to state, local, and tribal governments, along with certain nonprofit organizations in Vilas and Winnebago counties.
The July 27 EF-3 tornado traveled 14 miles through the Menasha area over more than 20 minutes. It destroyed homes, overturned vehicles, uprooted trees, and damaged numerous buildings. Despite the destruction, no fatalities were reported.
In his August 26 request, Evers estimated residential property damage from the storms at more than $8.2 million, alongside another $13.8 million in damage to government property. Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago counties were also affected.
Evers criticized the timing and political circumstances surrounding the announcement. His office initially reported receiving no additional information beyond Trump’s social media statement. Tiffany, meanwhile, said he had maintained regular contact with the administration and welcomed the funding decision.
Disaster Relief Decision Raises Questions About Political Disparities
The announcement arrived one day after CBS Mornings broadcast a report by chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook about Menasha residents awaiting federal assistance.
According to CBS News, an analysis of FEMA data found that Trump had approved 85% of disaster assistance requests from states he carried in the 2024 presidential election, compared with 46% from states won by Kamala Harris. States led by Democratic governors also appeared to receive less favorable treatment.
Wisconsin presents a particular political combination: Trump won the state in 2024, while its governor, Evers, is a Democrat. The White House rejected suggestions that politics influenced disaster relief decisions, stating that the president considers each request carefully and without political bias.
Meanwhile, residents had organized their own recovery efforts. Filmmaker Phil Johnston and volunteers arranged a benefit concert under the slogan “Menasha Strong,” drawing thousands of participants.
Johnston told CBS News that residents were frustrated by the limited government assistance available during their recovery. Wisconsin’s disaster fund does not directly reimburse residents for personal losses, leaving local governments with limited resources to help. Comedian Charlie Berens, who hosted the fundraiser, welcomed the federal announcement while acknowledging that Menasha had waited months for assistance.
