West Virginia, a state that delivered for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election by a significant margin, is now facing severe consequences due to his policies. Trump’s plan to charge massive fees for China-linked ship visits to U.S. ports has led to an increase in coal inventory, stoking uncertainty in the agriculture industry and causing coal mines to prepare for layoffs.
Despite Trump’s claims that he is supporting coal miners, the policy will actually drive the final nail in the coffin of the dying industry. The fee structure could add up to 35% to the delivered cost of U.S. coal, making it uncompetitive on the global market, according to Ernie Thrasher, CEO and founder of Xcoal Energy & Resources.
The impact will be felt across West Virginia, particularly among its rural communities, where agriculture is a vital industry. The state’s farmers rely heavily on federal subsidies to stay afloat, but these subsidies are being cut under Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative. This means that local schools and food banks, which previously received funding from the U.S. Agriculture Department, will now struggle to access essential products.
As one farmer, Jennifer Gilkerson, notes, “We thought this was sacred and really untouchable.” However, West Virginia’s support for Trump is reflected in the state’s decision-making on these critical issues. The federal safety net that was supposed to provide a safety net for rural communities is now being dismantled.
The consequences of Trump’s policies will be dire, particularly for those who rely on agriculture and food banks. As Chad Morrison, president of West Virginia’s Mountaineer Food Bank, warns, “It’s really challenging” to meet the state’s needs without these federal dollars. With millions of dollars worth of deliveries being halted, the effects will be felt across West Virginia.
The story serves as a reminder that Trump’s policies are driven by ideology rather than a genuine interest in supporting his voters. Instead of investing in programs that benefit rural communities, he prioritizes big business and wealthy donors like Elon Musk. As one commentator notes, “Trump is more interested in hawking expensive cars for his billionaire buddy Elon Musk, hyping crypto for his bros, fantasizing about ethnically cleaning Gaza, obsessing over Greenland, and golfing.”
Source: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/23/2310864/-West-Virginians-love-Trump-and-he-s-screwing-them-anyway