Florida (Business Emerge), October 8: As the United States grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a surge of misinformation has swept across social media, diverting attention from critical recovery efforts. False narratives about the allocation of disaster relief funds, along with bizarre claims that weather manipulation is at play, have added confusion to an already challenging situation.
Both local and national government officials are working to dispel these rumors, including one spread by Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump. Among the more outlandish theories is the suggestion that Helene was a man-made storm, designed to give corporations access to lithium deposits in the affected region. Others claim the Biden administration is using federal disaster aid to support undocumented immigrants or allege that bodies are being intentionally left behind in the storm’s wake.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene further fueled the fire by posting on X, “Yes, they can control the weather. It’s absurd to deny it.” Her statement followed days of speculation and mistrust regarding the federal response to one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recent memory.
These rumors are emerging at a critical juncture, with the nation focused on recovery efforts following Helene’s destruction, one of the deadliest hurricanes the U.S. has faced in recent decades. Compounding the situation, the presidential election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is just weeks away.
Both Republicans and Democrats are expressing frustration over the spread of these falsehoods, citing the distractions they create. North Carolina Senator Kevin Corbin, representing one of the hardest-hit states, shared on social media that he had fielded multiple inquiries from constituents asking why certain issues aren’t being addressed. “Most of the time, these claims are baseless,” Corbin explained, adding, “And if there is a real issue, someone is already handling it. I’m growing tired of intentional distractions.”
The ongoing battle against misinformation is further complicating the response to Helene, as both sides of the political spectrum agree that the rumors are making it more difficult to focus on recovery and relief efforts.