Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards from North Carolina has publicly condemned former President Donald Trump and his allies for spreading falsehoods and conspiracy theories about the government's response to Hurricane Helene. Edwards's rebuke comes amid a barrage of misinformation that has complicated relief efforts in regions severely impacted by the hurricane, which left a trail of destruction across five states.
Edwards, whose district includes some of the hardest-hit areas in North Carolina, issued a strong statement titled "Debunking Helene Response Myths," explicitly countering claims made by Trump and others regarding FEMA's disaster relief efforts. "Hurricane Helene was NOT geo-engineered by the government to seize and access lithium deposits in Chimney Rock," Edwards stated emphatically, directly contradicting baseless conspiracy theories circulating on social media platforms.
The congressman praised FEMA for delivering "a level of support that is unmatched by most any other disaster nationwide," countering Trump's accusations that the agency diverted funds for political reasons. Edwards's message aimed to correct rumors spread by Trump and his supporters, including claims that the Biden administration deliberately withheld aid from Republican areas. "Outrageous rumors are hampering attempts to aid badly affected communities in my constituency," Edwards said.
The deluge of misinformation has significantly hampered FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene, according to Deanne Criswell, the agency's director. "The glut of misinformation surrounding the relief operation is the worst I have ever seen," Criswell warned, emphasizing how false claims were undermining efforts to provide aid to those most in need. FEMA has struggled to combat these rumors while coordinating disaster relief for Helene's widespread damage, which left over 223 people dead and devastated communities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Donald Trump and far-right allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have played a significant role in propagating these falsehoods. Greene recently claimed on social media, "Yes, they can control the weather," despite scientific consensus stating otherwise. Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has also contributed to the disinformation campaign, alleging FEMA misused its budget to support migrants rather than disaster victims. Musk's posts to his 200 million followers included baseless claims like "FEMA used up its budget ferrying illegals into the country instead of saving American lives. Treason."
Edwards urged the public to critically evaluate what they read online, stating, "I encourage you to remember that everything you see on Facebook, X, or any other social media platform is not always fact. Please make sure you are fact-checking what you read online with a reputable source." His remarks echo concerns from other Republican lawmakers, including North Carolina state senator Kevin Corbin, who also urged his constituents to "PLEASE help stop this junk."
FEMA's efforts to clean up after Hurricane Helene have been met with logistical challenges exacerbated by these false claims. With Hurricane Milton approaching Florida just two weeks after Helene, emergency workers are racing to clear debris that could become deadly projectiles in Milton's intense winds. FEMA's acting associate administrator, Keith Turi, voiced frustration over the impact of the disinformation on relief efforts, saying, "The misinformation is extremely damaging to the response efforts from Helene and from any disaster."
As Hurricane Helene's cleanup continues, FEMA is under immense pressure to manage its resources effectively, particularly as the Disaster Relief Fund remains stretched thin. The agency's funding mechanism is designed to be flexible, allowing for continuous replenishment, but Trump's rhetoric has falsely suggested that FEMA will run out of money due to misallocated funds. In reality, FEMA's budget has been steadily increasing to accommodate the rising frequency and severity of natural disasters, fueled in part by climate change.
Anne Ward, executive director of a nonprofit in Vermont, recently described her experience with FEMA's complex relief system, highlighting the challenges individuals face in navigating bureaucratic hurdles. "Anybody that you talked to had one tiny piece of the pie, and you needed to talk to at least 12 more people about the exact same thing," Ward said. This reflects the frustration many disaster survivors feel, despite FEMA's efforts to streamline its assistance programs.
