There is a particular kind of relief that arrives after weeks of waiting—a relief made sharper by the knowledge that it was delayed, that the delay was political, and that the people who needed help were left to wonder whether it would ever come. In Menasha, Wisconsin, that relief has now arrived. President Donald Trump has approved nearly $18 million in federal disaster aid for the area, which was devastated by an EF-3 tornado in July. The announcement came one day after CBS News aired a report on residents still awaiting federal assistance, and after weeks of pressure from state and local officials .
The tornado carved a 14-mile path through Menasha and Appleton on July 27, damaging or destroying more than 1,000 buildings. Miraculously, no one died. But the recovery has been slow and painful. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers formally requested federal aid on August 26. The request sat for weeks. Then, on Wednesday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had spoken with Congressman Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for governor, and would approve $17.9 million in aid .
The timing of the announcement raised questions that the White House has denied. A CBS News analysis of FEMA data found that Trump approved 85 percent of disaster aid requests from states he won in 2024, compared with only 46 percent of requests from states won by Kamala Harris. Wisconsin, which Trump won in 2024, has a Democratic governor. The White House said there is "no politicization" in the president's decisions on disaster relief .
For Menasha residents, the announcement was met with a mixture of relief and frustration. "People are upset that the government isn't helping a whole lot," filmmaker Phil Johnston told CBS News at a benefit concert for the city. "It shouldn't have to be a fundraising concert that is giving you basic needs to live your life. It's not right" . Mayor Austin Hammond said the city is aware of the announcement but is still waiting for details from FEMA about what the relief will include and how it will be distributed .
The aid comes as Wisconsin's disaster fund does not provide money directly to residents to cover their losses, leaving local governments with limited resources to provide assistance . Governor Evers responded to the announcement on Facebook, saying, "Wisconsinites will believe it when we see it," and accused Trump and Tiffany of "playing politics with emergency aid" . The money has been approved. The details remain unclear. And the people of Menasha, who have waited for months, are still waiting to learn what it will mean for them.
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Sources: CBS News, Spectrum News, WBAY, FOX6 News Milwaukee, WFRV Local 5
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