“When did that become acceptable?” questioned Barack Obama. “Why would we accept that?” he posed to the crowd at a campaign rally in Pittsburgh.
“That” referred to Donald Trump’s recent surprising attack on Kamala Harris: the federal response to Hurricane Helene, especially concerning North Carolina, where devastation and loss of life has occurred.
“The Harris-Biden administration claims they have no funds [for hurricane relief]… They spent it all on illegal immigrants… They siphoned FEMA funds just like robbing a bank, so they could provide assistance to their illegal immigrants who they want to vote for them,” Trump asserted at a rally in swing state Michigan, just two days after Hurricane Helene.
While this is incorrect, it has gained traction in this election cycle.
For some inexplicable reason, Hurricane Helene has not attracted as much media scrutiny as other significant storms.
Hurricane Milton, which followed, may have garnered more attention than warranted: while it was a massive Category 5 storm out at sea in the Gulf of Mexico, it was a more typical Category 3 storm upon reaching Florida, a state well-equipped for hurricanes, given its annual hurricane season each September/October.
Unpredictable tornadoes – 126 in total – in an unexpected location were responsible for much of the devastation this week.
In contrast, Hurricane Helene was a Category 4 storm when it made landfall and moved inland, crossing six states, most of which are unaccustomed to hurricanes.
When it hit the lower reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was forced upwards, cooling and releasing enormous amounts of rain, which cascaded down the mountains and led to flash floods.
Asheville, North Carolina, was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene
Asheville, located in the western part of North Carolina, sits in a basin within the lower foothills of the Blue Ridge. Helene unleashed 60cms of rain on the region, creating a torrent that swept through the town and nearby areas.
According to hurricane history specialist Professor Cary Mock from the University of South Carolina, Helene was the deadliest inland hurricane on record.
More than 230 lives were lost, making it the third deadliest hurricane recorded in the continental United States, following Katrina in New Orleans in 2005 (the deadliest) and Camille in 1969 (the second deadliest).
Initial estimates for insurance claims reached $47 billion within the first few days, but this figure is expected to climb as floodwaters recede and further damage is discovered.
Thus, there has been substantial devastation and loss of life in a region not typically equipped to manage hurricanes.
Read more: Milton leaves 16 dead, millions without power in Florida
Local and state authorities carry the primary responsibility, with potential support from federal resources.
And like any governmental response during a crisis, there are valid questions to ask in the name of learning from experience.
However, this is entirely distinct from the outrageous claims.
A regrettable by-product of social media is that falsehoods can spread swiftly. These messages are often simple and direct – and factually inaccurate – but by the time they are countered with complex and sometimes tedious facts, the damage has already been done.
Some are propagated by “bad actors,” individuals intent on causing harm. Others are spread by scammers, those looking to profit from misfortunes. Historically, the latter have existed but can now reach more victims faster due to new technologies.
We also witness this trend in politics, particularly in the US, often a testing ground for innovative approaches to the democratic process. A quick and outlandish lie can cover far more ground, much faster and cheaper, than multi-state rallies and door-to-door campaigning.
Thus, Donald Trump exceeded skepticism and made numerous outright false statements regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in speeches that were amplified via social media.
Supporters joined in, bad actors participated, and scammers followed closely behind a presidential candidate, resulting in the belief among many that various terrible things are occurring – or that good things are not happening – in the severely affected states.
These include North Carolina – the hardest hit – and Georgia, both of which also happen to be swing states, critical in determining the outcome of this presidential election.
Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shake hands in Evans, Georgia, earlier this month
This is why Trump’s statements about the hurricanes were far from idle chatter; they were a targeted element of political campaigning. According to some polling, this tactic is both cynical and effective.
Here’s a snapshot of his claims during the first week of October:
Trump incorrectly asserted that Biden had not contacted Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican. Kemp had appeared on TV the day prior stating that he had indeed spoken to Biden and had the necessary resources but appreciated the offer for more.
On the same day, he claimed there were “reports” that the federal government and the Democratic Governor of North Carolina were purposely neglecting aid to people in Republican voting areas. Trump provided no evidence when challenged by reporters.
By Thursday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Biden-Harris administration had received “universally negative reviews” regarding its response. While some criticism has surfaced, leaders on the ground from both parties have also praised the efforts.
During a rally in swing state Michigan that same day, Trump stated, “Kamala spent all her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal migrants, many of whom should not be in our country,” asserting they would then vote for the Democratic candidate.
This claim lacks validity – non-citizens, including those legally present like your correspondent, cannot vote: doing so is a felony. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Kamala Harris – or anyone else – misappropriated FEMA funds for housing immigrants.
Congress allocated $650 million for immigrant emergency funding in the current budget and $35 billion for FEMA emergency response. This is sufficient to sustain the agency’s operations until November or December. The President has called for Congress to reconvene early to approve additional funds. It appears this is yet another political impasse regarding the budget ahead of the election.
On October 4, Trump claimed that $1 billion had been stolen from FEMA funds and given to migrants. This story was false and had been debunked prior to his statements, yet he repeated the claim three times last Friday.
On Saturday, at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, he inaccurately asserted that FEMA was only providing Americans with $750 in aid in hurricane-affected areas, contrasting it with international humanitarian assistance.
“They’re offering them $750, to people whose homes have been washed away. And yet we send tens of billions of dollars to foreign countries that most people have never heard of. Think of it: We give foreign countries hundreds of billions of dollars and we’re handing North Carolina $750.”
This is not accurate – the $750 payment is an immediate relief payment given upfront to claimants for urgent needs like food and water. Additional funds follow based on the claims filed.
However, if individuals fear their property will be seized if they file claims, as the online rumor mill suggests, they may receive less than what they are entitled to from the billions allocated by the federal government – for instance, the current home repair grant caps at $42,500.
Moreover, this direct aid is different from federal funds that will be distributed to states for further assistance (the US Department of Transportation is allocating an immediate $100 million to North Carolina for emergency flood repair work).
This hurricane-related help for individual residents is separate from the hurricane-related assistance that the federal government will provide to state governments.
As an example, the federal transportation department announced a week after Helene struck that it was immediately providing $100 million to North Carolina’s transportation department “to help cover the costs of immediate emergency work resulting from Hurricane Helene’s flood damage”.
More federal funding will follow in the longer term, as is typically the case in the relationship between federal, state, and local governments.
However, the rumor mill – amplified by Trump’s campaign messaging – clearly had an impact on both emergency management and the presidential election.
Two days after Trump made his initial comments, the White House released an “interested parties” memo from Ben LaBolt, Biden’s Director of Communications, countering the claims.
LaBolt highlighted that disinformation following a hurricane or other natural disaster discourages people from seeking vital assistance when they urgently need it and can hinder recovery efforts.
Kamala Harris attends a briefing about Hurricane Helene at FEMA headquarters on September 30
The memo also enumerated several falsehoods gathered from FEMA – the Federal Emergency Management Agency – which had to allocate resources to create a special disinformation section on its website.
Here is a condensed version of the FEMA list of false rumors:
Rumor: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery.
See above.
Rumor: FEMA is blockading people in Florida and preventing evacuations.
FEMA is neither blockading people in Florida nor preventing evacuations. FEMA does not control traffic flow or conduct traffic stops, which are managed by local authorities. This is a dangerous rumor that can jeopardize lives.
Rumor: FEMA only provides loans to disaster survivors.
This is false. In most instances, FEMA grants do not require repayment.
Rumor: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.
The FAA is not limiting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to ensure safe operation in an extremely crowded airspace.
Rumor: FEMA is in the process of confiscating Helene survivor property. If I apply for disaster assistance and my land is deemed unlivable, my property will be seized.
FEMA cannot seize your property or land. Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government any authority or ownership over your property or land.
Rumor: FEMA is no longer accepting applications for housing assistance.
FEMA is still accepting assistance applications from areas affected by Helene.
Rumor: FEMA does not have sufficient funds to provide disaster assistance for Helene.
FEMA currently has enough funds for immediate response and recovery needs.
Rumor: FEMA is soliciting cash donations and rejecting volunteers.
This is false. FEMA does not ask for or typically accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response. If you encounter anyone claiming to represent FEMA and soliciting donations, be cautious as this is likely a scam. Government employees will never request money.
In this tumultuous environment filled with lies and rumors, Trump has inserted his own key issue – immigrants.
FEMA does allocate money and services to immigrants through its Shelter and Services Program. It has a specific budget line, sanctioned by Congress, amounting to $650 million for this purpose.
FEMA is considered the appropriate agency to provide such emergency aid to immigrants – rather than the Customs and Border Protection Agency – because it has the qualified personnel and systems already in place. CBP receives the funds and forwards them to FEMA for its use, akin to a subcontracting arrangement.
However, very few people are aware of this: fact-checking journalists have to invest days uncovering this information. By that time, it’s often too late.
The politically disengaged are aware of some vague accusations about the government engaging in unscrupulous behavior, but only politically fervent individuals like you, dear reader, will sift through an extensive explanation days later to discern the facts.
And attempting to explain the complexities of government accounting? Forget about it. That’s how false claims about the government misappropriating disaster aid to assist immigrants persist. Be prepared for similar antics in the upcoming election.
By Wednesday of this week – the day of the Taoiseach’s visit and the day Milton was about to make landfall, the President of the United States held a televised briefing with the heads of the relevant federal agencies to update the public on ongoing efforts and offer guidance to Floridians on necessary actions.
Joe Biden felt it crucial to confront the tide of disinformation from Helene to Milton.
“In recent weeks, there has been a reckless, irresponsible, and relentless spread of disinformation and outright falsehoods that is troubling. It undermines public confidence in the remarkable rescue and recovery efforts that have been and will continue to be undertaken, and it is detrimental to those most in need of help,” he stated.
“Former President Trump has spearheaded this barrage of lies. Claims have been made that property is being confiscated. That is simply not true.”
“They assert that those affected by these storms will receive only $750 in cash and nothing more. That is simply incorrect.”
“They are claiming that funds are being diverted to migrants. What a ludicrous assertion. It’s simply false. Now, the claims are becoming even more far-fetched,” Biden continued.
“Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a representative from Georgia, is now alleging that the federal government is literally controlling the weather – we’re controlling the weather. It’s beyond absurd. It must come to an end.”
Climate change is the new Covid.
Inquire with your government if the weather is being manipulated or controlled.
Did you ever consent to such actions?
Are you financing it?
Of course you are..
Yet, this trend continues. Because it’s effective. It’s bogging down the US government and compelling Biden to respond in ways that associate him – an unpopular figure – more closely in the public’s perception with Harris. In his attempts to persuade disengaged potential voters in the swing states to support him, Trump seems to be succeeding.
Recent polling indicates that Trump is gaining ground over Harris in six of the seven swing states. Instead of harming him, these extravagant claims regarding the hurricanes – along with previous bizarre narratives from Springfield, Ohio – may have provided a momentum boost to the Trump campaign.
In contrast, the Harris campaign appears to be running out of steam. This may be why Barack Obama – the Democratic Party’s master communicator – has been pulled back into action, beginning with that Pittsburgh rally on Thursday.
Desperation, say Republican commentators. Or perhaps an acknowledgment that the outlandish hurricane lies are yielding results.
When did that become acceptable? With the election outcome hanging in the balance, the past two weeks have seen America once again tread further into electoral unpredictability.
With just over three weeks remaining, virtually anything is possible in this campaign.
