Donald Trump Asks About Lake Where One of His Golf Courses Is While Visiting Hurricane Florence Victims

President Donald Trump inquired Wednesday about the status of a North Carolina lake that happens to be next to one of his golf courses while he received updates and praise from state officials during his visit after Hurricane Florence.

The president asked about Lake Norman, which is northeast of Charlotte, and on its shores sits a Trump National Golf Club.

"How is Lake Norman doing?" the president asked an official from an energy company. "I love that area. I can't tell you why, but I love that area."

Trump claimed (incorrectly) last month that Lake Norman was the largest man-made lake in the world when he congratulated Charlotte for hosting the 2020 Republican National Convention.

"I actually have investments in Charlotte," the president said, according to The Charlotte Observer. "They'll say, 'Oh, that's a conflict of interest.' Fake news, they'll say this is a conflict of interest. You know where my club is, right? Trump National. It's a very big success on Lake Norman. Beautiful. Largest man-made lake in the world by far, right?"

The president did not explicitly ask about the golf club when speaking to state officials in a hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina. But Trump could have been curious about the status of his club.

The latest comment could be construed to mean that Trump was showing more concern for one of his golf courses than the people of North Carolina after Florence ravaged many areas with flooding and heavy rain last weekend.

A comparison could also be drawn to Trump's comments after his chaotic press conference following the riot and white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, over a year ago. After casting blame on both sides rather than condemning white supremacists, the president mentioned his ownership of winery in Charlottesville.

"I own a house in Charlottesville," Trump said. "Does anyone know I own a house in Charlottesville?"

Trump continued: "Oh boy, it's gonna be...it's in Charlottesville. It is the winery. I mean, I know a lot about Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a great place that's been very badly hurt over the last couple of days. I own actually one of the largest wineries in the United States, it's in Charlottesville."

According to the president's official schedule, he will remain in North Carolina until traveling back to Washington early Wednesday evening.