ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Live updates on President Donald Trump’s visit to western North Carolina on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025:

1:58 p.m. – Air Force One departs from Asheville Regional Airport en route to fire-ravaged California.

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1:19 p.m. – Trump’s motorcade has left Swannanoa after several Helene victims delivered remarks and met with the president.

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12:38 p.m. – Rev. Franklin Graham joins President Trump in delivering remarks after meeting with Helene victims in Swannanoa.

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12:25 p.m. – A crowd of Donald Trump supporters have lined a part of US 70 in Swannanoa where the president is expected to meet with a family who lost their home to Helene.

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Noon – North Carolina Governor Josh Stein addressed the media about Hurricane Helene recovery under the new Trump administration.

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11:30 a.m. – The President receives a briefing from emergency responders and government officials regarding Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

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11:15 – President Trump speaks with supporters and answers media questions at the Asheville Regional Airport.

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10:50 a.m. – President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have officially touched down at the Asheville Regional Airport.

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10:20 a.m. – Members of the media and Trump supporters gather at Asheville Regional Airport, awaiting President Trump’s arrival.

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9:45 a.m. – President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have boarded Air Force One and have departed from Joint Base Andrews, en route to North Carolina.

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9:15 a.m. – President Donald Trump will soon depart from Joint Base Andrews on Air Force One, en route to North Carolina.

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President Donald Trump is set to visit western North Carolina on Friday, Jan. 24, marking his first trip since being sworn in for a second non-consecutive term on Monday.

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The visit will focus on assessing the ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which struck the region months ago. Much of the area remains in the process of rebuilding and some communities are still struggling with extensive damage.

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The president and First Lady are en route to North Carolina, with their arrival anticipated at the Asheville Regional Airport.

They will be joined by Representative Chuck Edwards, United States Representative from North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, and Representative Virginia Foxx, United States Representative from North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.

The First family will also be joined by Representative Tim Moore, United States Representative from North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, Representative Pat Harrigan, United States Representative from North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District, Commissioner Steve Troxler, Commissioner, North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Speaker Dustin Hall, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Representative Brenden Jones, Majority Leader, North Carolina House of Representatives, Representative Dudley Green, State Representative from North Carolina’s 85th House District, and Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse.

The president is scheduled to meet with families affected by Hurricane Helene, which devastated the Western North Carolina region on Sep. 27, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C.

During his tour of Swannanoa, the president will be joined by First Lady Melania, Chris and Kim West, Homeowners and Samaritan’s PurseBeneficiaries, Ramona Nix, Pastor, Eagle Rock Church, Thomas Bright and Jackie Mitchell, Samaritan’s Purse Beneficiaries, Curtis A. Wright, Amber Wright, and Curtis B. Wright, Samaritan’s Purse Beneficiaries.

Following the tour, President Trump and First Lady Melania are scheduled to depart North Carolina and travel to Pacific Palisades, C.A.

Trump visited the area several times during the 2024 presidential campaign. He held a campaign event in Asheville in August and returned two months later, visiting Swannanoa in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

EXPECT ‘SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC’ DURING PRESIDENTIAL VISIT FRIDAY, COUNTY LEADERS SAY

Earlier in the week, Buncombe County officials advised residents to anticipate traffic delays “likely between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.” Friday due to the presidential visit.

This story will be updated throughout the day.