Donald Trump and his Republican allies have come under fire from North Carolina’s largest newspaper for spreading misinformation about the federal response to Hurricane Helene. As the state grapples with recovery efforts from one of the most devastating hurricanes in its history, The Charlotte Observer issued a pointed editorial denouncing Trump’s false claims and warning that such disinformation is hampering recovery efforts.
“This is not a situation to capitalize on for political gain,” the Charlotte Observer’s editorial board wrote. “But former President Donald Trump has politicized the situation at every turn, spreading falsehoods and conspiracies that fracture the community instead of bringing it together.”
Trump, along with several Republicans, has repeatedly accused President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper of neglecting areas impacted by the hurricane, particularly Republican strongholds. Trump claimed the Biden administration had “left Americans to drown,” and went so far as to allege that Harris diverted FEMA funds meant for disaster relief to house undocumented immigrants.
These accusations, however, have been widely debunked. One of Trump’s falsehoods centered on his claim that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was unable to get a response from Biden regarding storm damage. Kemp himself corrected the former president’s statement, noting that he had indeed spoken with Biden and received federal support. Kemp told reporters, “He just said, ‘Hey, what do you need?’ And I told him, you know, ‘We got what we need. We’ll work through the federal process.’” He added that FEMA had been on the ground in Georgia since before the storm hit.
Trump also falsely claimed that FEMA money had been redirected to help undocumented immigrants instead of American citizens suffering from the storm’s impact. Trump asserted at a rally in Michigan that Harris had spent “billions of dollars” in FEMA funds to provide housing for migrants. This was not only inaccurate but also misleading. The $650 million that Congress allocated to help state and local governments manage migrants is distinct from the disaster relief funds FEMA administers. As the Department of Homeland Security and independent observers noted, there has been no diversion of FEMA funds, and Trump’s claims are baseless.
The Charlotte Observer editorial board didn’t stop at Trump. They also called out other Republican figures, including North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, for exploiting the disaster for political gain. Robinson, who is running for governor, used the hurricane as a platform for photo opportunities and social media posts, criticizing Cooper and Biden for not doing enough to prepare the state for Helene. Despite Robinson’s public displays, he missed a key vote to declare a state of emergency in the state before the hurricane struck. The newspaper emphasized that this wasn’t a time for opportunism, writing, “The most unhelpful thing any politician — or anyone else — can do right now is spread misinformation and tell people that their government isn’t doing anything to help them.”
Hurricane Helene has resulted in the deaths of at least 232 people across six states, with North Carolina accounting for nearly half of the fatalities. The storm’s devastation was worsened by years of housing deregulation by Republican lawmakers, which increased vulnerability in flood-prone areas. A New York Times analysis revealed that deregulation had allowed for unrestrained development in high-risk zones, making the destruction from Helene even more severe.
As recovery efforts continue, Trump has persisted with his disinformation campaign. Over six days, he used public appearances and social media to amplify false or misleading claims about the federal response to the hurricane. On Monday, Trump falsely claimed that Biden and Harris were receiving “universally poor grades” for their handling of the storm, particularly in North Carolina. However, this assertion is contradicted by state and local leaders, including Republican South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who praised the federal government’s efforts. “Federal assistance has been superb,” McMaster said, noting that both Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had called to offer support.
Trump’s misinformation took another turn when he falsely claimed that FEMA was only offering $750 to those whose homes were destroyed. “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,” Trump told a crowd at a rally in Pennsylvania. This statement was quickly debunked. FEMA clarified that the $750 was intended for immediate needs like food and baby formula, with much more aid available for temporary housing and home repairs. The current maximum for home repair assistance stands at $42,500, far from the $750 Trump described.
One of the most dangerous claims Trump made came at a rally where he said, “Kamala wined and dined in San Francisco, and all of the people in North Carolina — no helicopters, no rescue — it’s just — what’s happened there is very bad.” This assertion was also false. The North Carolina National Guard completed 146 flight missions, rescuing 538 people, while private helicopters and aircraft from across the country assisted in search-and-rescue missions.
Despite these facts, Trump’s continued barrage of disinformation has proven harmful. PBS News reported that Trump’s lies were diverting precious time and resources away from actual recovery efforts. “Disinformation after a hurricane or other natural disaster can discourage people from seeking critical assistance when they need it most,” the White House noted in a brief.
As the Charlotte Observer editorial concluded: “Sowing the seeds of political division is always an unnecessary and tiresome endeavor. But doing so in times of great need, when unity is paramount, is particularly shameful.”
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