local
Blue states hit hardest by Trump disaster aid denials, analysis says
By CBS affiliate at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 5 min read
When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks or even months to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied.Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about...
Key takeaway And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville residents may be concerned about the implications of President Trump's disaster aid denials, given the city's history of severe weather events such as tornadoes and floods. As a community that has relied on federal assistance in the past, the prospect of partisan politics influencing disaster aid decisions is troubling. The fact that Trump has approved a higher percentage of disaster requests from Republican governors than Democratic governors raises questions about the fairness of the process. If Tennessee, a state that voted for Trump, were to experience a major disaster, would it receive more favorable treatment than neighboring states that did not support the president? The answer to this question has significant implications for the city's emergency preparedness and response efforts, and Nashville's leaders should be paying close attention to the administration's disaster aid policies.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When major disasters strike, Americans are routinely waiting weeks or even months to receive presidential approval for aid. And if they live in a state that didn't support President Donald Trump, chances are greater that aid will be denied.Since taking office last year, Trump has approved about...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS affiliate at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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