FACT!
Trump and his enablers are spreading lies and dangerous misinformation about the relief efforts in North Carolina following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Emergency officials say the false rumors are impeding their efforts to help tens of thousands of people in need.
Here are some facts about the Biden-Harris administration and other relief efforts for Hurricane Helene:
- The federal government is responding to the emergency 24/7. Teams include local, state, federal and military units in addition to businesses and volunteer groups.
- The federal government is sending supplies, meals and taking aid applications from affected residents.
- So far, FEMA has processed $45 million in direct assistance to people affected by Helene.
- No funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support Ukraine or any other international efforts.
- The Red Cross is helping, and has been on site since before Hurricane Helene made landfall. There are at least 1300 responders helping to provide safe shelter, food, hygiene items, medications and emotional support.
- Contrary to what Marjorie Taylor Greene is claiming, the government did not create the hurricane.
Trump claimed that VP Harris has spent billions of FEMA dollars to pay for housing for migrants. Not only is this claim false, as the White House did not use funds from the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund on housing for migrants, but the VP does not disburse FEMA funds.
However, here are some facts about Trump’s presidency regarding FEMA:
- In 2018, Trump diverted nearly $10 million in funding from FEMA to ICE to use for detention programs.
- In 2019, the Trump administration redirected millions more from the FEMA disaster fund to ICE, including $38 million in the middle of hurricane season.
Sources: Washington Post, News & Observer