FEMA chief debunks Trump, Musk’s misleading Hurricane Helene recovery statements.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell recently spoke out against former President Donald Trump for spreading misinformation regarding the allocation of disaster relief funding for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Criswell criticized Trump’s false claims, stating that it is “just plain false” and “not helpful to people.”
Amidst the ongoing hurricane season, Trump falsely alleged that FEMA was running out of money for disaster relief due to funds being used for “illegal migrants coming into the country.” However, FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House have all debunked these claims and emphasized that no money has been diverted from disaster response needs.
Despite these fact-checks, Trump’s campaign and his allies, including Elon Musk, have continued to spread misinformation about the Hurricane Helene recovery effort, using it as a platform to attack Vice President Kamala Harris. Criswell condemned this rhetoric, stating that it is “demoralizing to all of the first responders” who have been working tirelessly to help communities affected by the hurricane.
While FEMA has been operating on a tight budget, the agency recently received a substantial cash infusion of approximately $20 billion from a stopgap funding bill passed by Congress to prevent a government shutdown. However, White House officials and representatives from areas impacted by Helene have indicated that a supplemental disaster relief package may be necessary to further support FEMA’s rebuilding efforts.
The controversy surrounding the false claims made by Trump and his allies highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination in times of crisis. Criswell’s comments serve as a reminder of the dedication and hard work of first responders and the necessity of prioritizing assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. As the situation unfolds, it remains critical for policymakers and the public to focus on providing the necessary support for disaster recovery efforts.