Immigrants, FEMA and $750: How Trump and his allies spread false claims about Hurricane Helen relief

Donald Trump and his allies have spent the week in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen spreading false claims about the federal government’s response to the disaster. Officials have warned that misinformation could be dangerous for survivors in need.

The death toll from Helen’s aftermath exceeded 200, Hundreds of thousands of people are still without power.The former president and his associates spent the week spreading lies about the response after the storm swept through the southeastern part of the country.

Sunday’s rally in Juneau, Wisconsin was no different. Trump baselessly claimed that President Joe Biden’s administration had “disappeared” as flood levels rose and that survivors had not met “anyone from the federal government yet.”

Not only have both Biden and Kamala Harris visited areas devastated by the Category 4 storm, but there are also about 7,000 federal personnel on the ground in affected areas, AFP said. white house memo.

The Trump campaign also partnered with a Christian humanitarian aid group to supply fuel, food, water and other resources to the swing state of Georgia.

Perhaps the most widespread false statement is that the federal government only provides $750 to disaster survivors.

“The government is going to give $750 to people who have lost their homes,” Trump told a crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

“And yet we are sending tens of billions of dollars to foreign countries that most people have never heard of,” he said.

Meanwhile, his running mate, JD Vance, said, “It’s insulting to people who have lost their homes and almost everything to have someone swoop in and say $750 is a lot of money.”

This amount has been misinterpreted. The White House said survivors will initially receive $750 after applying for Serious Needs Assistance, one of several federal relief programs. This amount will help cover essential items such as food, water, formula, and medicine. Survivors may be eligible for more FEMA financial assistance. To date, the government has provided more than $137 million in federal assistance to survivors.

Another falsehood often amplified concerns the most important election issue: immigration.

“They stole FEMA money like they stole money from the bank,” Trump said last week.

He also baselessly claimed that Harris spent “all of FEMA’s money” on “housing for illegal immigrants.” Many of these people should not be in our country.

This false claim was spread by a tech billionaire and ardent Trump supporter. Elon MuskThe richest man in the world and owner of the influential social media platform X, which he uses to promote former presidents.

“Immigrants are being housed in luxury hotels in New York City,” Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, told CNN on Sunday.

There is merit to the claim that federal aid has been diverted to support immigrants.

Amazingly, Trump did the very thing that Biden is now accusing him of. He diverted $155 million from the 2019 disaster fund to pay for additional detention facilities and “immigrant transportation” resources. washington post.

The former president also criticized the Biden-Harris administration for “trying not to help residents of Republican areas.”

Perhaps no one is better suited to challenge this claim than members of the Trump party.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, whose state of North Carolina was devastated by Helen, praised the federal government’s response at the conference. Friday press briefing.

“Anyone here at any level of government who thinks they can prepare for exactly what we’re dealing with has no clue,” he said. “They are doing a great job.”

“I was impressed by how much attention was paid to areas that probably would not have experienced the impacts that they did,” Tillis added.

He also wrote an email to constituents denouncing the politicization of recovery efforts. Although he did not mention Trump by name, he wrote, “What Helen’s victims need most now is political posturing, accusations, and conspiracy theories that will only harm response efforts.”

Trump’s allies have also made no commitment to return to Congress to approve more disaster relief and are criticizing the Biden administration for allegedly failing to deliver any. House Speaker Mike Johnson did not commit on Sunday to reconvene Congress before Election Day after Biden warned lawmakers of potential funding shortfalls.

Officials and others are warning that misinformation could have a serious impact on people in need, especially those in areas that could be hit by another hurricane this week.

“It’s really shameful to put politics ahead of helping people,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told ABC. “That’s what we’re trying to do.” this week On Sunday.

“It’s also demoralizing for all the first responders who are helping people in the community,” he added.

White House officials have also warned of the dangers of such false claims.

“Many scammers, malicious actors, and others who want to sow confusion because they believe it serves their political interests are promoting disinformation about recovery efforts, including how to access critical, life-saving resources. .” Statement from Ben LaBolt, Director of Communications, and Christian Tom, Director of Digital Strategy.

“This is wrong, it is dangerous, and it must stop immediately,” they wrote.

The editorial board of North Carolina’s second-largest newspaper also took issue with conspiracy theories being floated by Trump and his loyalists.

“This is not a situation to exploit for political gain. “But former President Donald Trump politicized the situation at every turn, spreading lies and conspiracies that divided our communities instead of bringing them together,” he wrote.

“There is no evidence to support such outrageous claims,” the board said. “And by all indications, state and federal agencies have been working to help those in need.”