President Donald Trump has pledged $10 million in economic assistance to East Palestine, Ohio, to aid recovery from the 2023 train derailment. The announcement, made on Thursday night near the disaster's third anniversary, includes criticism of former President Joe Biden for neglecting the community. Funds will support economic recovery alongside an ongoing health study.
On Thursday night, President Donald Trump announced that his administration would allocate $10 million through the Economic Development Administration to East Palestine, Ohio, for economic recovery following the February 3, 2023, train derailment. The derailment involved a Norfolk Southern train that spilled toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, into the ground and water. Authorities conducted a controlled burn of affected cars to avert an explosion, which released additional chemicals into the air and prompted shelter-in-place orders for residents.
Trump emphasized continued support in a Truth Social post: "To the Great People of East Palestine, Ohio, who were disgracefully betrayed and forgotten about by Crooked Joe Biden — ‘TRUMP’ has never forgotten about you, and never will!" He highlighted the administration's Longterm Health Study for residents and added, "We want to see East Palestine grow, flourish, and be able to take advantage of our now BOOMING Economy. It was horrible what was allowed to happen there, and we are with you for the LONG HAUL."
The Economic Development Administration, under the Commerce Department, invests in U.S. communities to foster job growth and regional economies. East Palestine has faced economic challenges, with its population declining from over 5,500 in the 1970s to about 4,700 in the 2020 census. Local businesses have departed, exacerbating issues. Chris Page, president of the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation, noted earlier this month, "There are a lot of businesses who have left our town, and we are in need of financial recovery and economic recovery."
Trump visited the area shortly after the incident in February 2023, distributing water and engaging with residents worried about their future. He contrasted this with then-President Joe Biden's visit, which occurred a year later. During his visit, Trump stated, "In too many cases, your goodness and perseverance were met with indifference and betrayal."
The disaster has led to legal actions. A wrongful death lawsuit filed last year against Norfolk Southern alleges the spill and burn-off caused seven deaths, including that of a one-week-old infant. It claims inadequate cleanup by contractors and insufficient warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Separately, Norfolk Southern settled a class-action suit for $600 million, offering up to $70,000 for property damage and $25,000 for injuries to residents within a two-mile radius; the wrongful death plaintiffs did not participate.
