Former President Trump’s Misinformation on Hurricane Helene Response
Former President Donald Trump has spread numerous falsehoods about the federal response to Hurricane Helene.
Key Deceptions Over Six Days
While misinformation has circulated widely, Trump has been a prominent figure in this deception. Over six days, he has made various false claims through public statements and social media.
Attacks on Biden and Harris
Key targets of his claims include Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. On Monday, Trump falsely asserted that Biden hadn’t responded to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s calls, despite Kemp stating he had spoken with Biden the day before.
Baseless Claims of Bias in North Carolina
Trump also claimed on Monday that the federal response in North Carolina showed bias against Republican areas, but provided no evidence for this assertion.
Misleading Ratings for Biden and Harris
On Thursday, he incorrectly stated that Biden and Harris received “universally” poor reviews for their handling of the hurricane, despite some praise from state leaders, including Republican governors.
False Claims About FEMA Funding
Trump’s claim that Harris used FEMA funds for housing migrants is baseless; there’s no evidence of stolen FEMA money for such purposes. The funds for housing migrants were separate from FEMA’s disaster relief budget.
Repetition of Debunked Figures
On Friday, he repeated a false claim about $1 billion being “stolen” from FEMA for migrants.
Misrepresentation of Federal Aid
On Saturday, he misrepresented federal aid, claiming victims were offered only $750, when that amount is just initial aid for immediate needs; substantial additional assistance is available.
Fabrications About Rescue Efforts
Lastly, Trump falsely asserted there were “no helicopters, no rescue” efforts in North Carolina, despite numerous rescue operations being conducted by the National Guard and others. Significant air traffic for relief efforts was reported by Dailyon, highlighting the extensive rescue operations underway.
