Donald Trump has built a legacy of controversy, but this time, the backlash is coming from an unexpected source—the second largest newspaper in North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer. In a scathing editorial, the publication took Trump to task for spreading “political lies” about the government’s response to Hurricane Helene. The former president’s attempt to twist the narrative around the state’s emergency response efforts has drawn widespread ire, as North Carolinians deal with the reality of a devastating natural disaster.
Trump’s Claims Don’t Hold Up Against Facts
As we’ve reported previously, Trump has a long history of making false claims about disaster response efforts under his administration. This latest episode is no different. The former president took to social media and public appearances to slam the current administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, claiming it was “worse than Katrina” and accusing officials of neglecting rural areas.
But these claims fall apart under scrutiny. The Charlotte Observer wasted no time in debunking Trump’s accusations, stating:
“Western North Carolina is trying to pick up the pieces left behind by Hurricane Helene, which decimated the region, leaving communities destroyed and a death toll in the triple digits. This is not a situation to capitalize on for political gain. 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.”
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The editorial calls out Trump for exploiting a natural disaster to score political points, rather than focusing on how to assist affected communities. Trump’s characterization of the disaster response as a failure is reminiscent of his false claims about previous relief efforts, notably during his administration’s handling of wildfires and hurricanes.
A History of Unfounded Claims
This isn’t the first time Trump has doubled down on misleading or outright false statements about disaster relief. As we previously covered in an article titled “Trump Doubles Down On Unfounded Claims About Hurricane Relief And People Are Furious,” Trump has a habit of sowing confusion and stoking anger in situations where clear, factual information is most needed. In the case of Hurricane Helene, his rhetoric has again caused unnecessary chaos, further dividing a nation that needs unity in the face of a crisis.
Even some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump’s narrative. In fact, as we previously reported, GOP Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina directly contradicted Trump’s statements, saying that the state’s response was robust and coordinated. According to our earlier report, Tillis publicly stated that:
“Our efforts, both on a state and federal level, have been focused on immediate relief and long-term recovery. To compare this to Katrina is just irresponsible.”
It’s a rare moment when members of Trump’s own party publicly refute his claims, showing that the misinformation he’s spreading is not only politically motivated but also damaging to the efforts of those on the ground.
Local Officials Push Back Against Trump’s Lies
The editorial by The Charlotte Observer aligns with growing frustrations among local and state officials who have had to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene while combating Trump’s false narrative. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has been vocal about the need for resources and unity in recovery efforts, and Trump’s interference hasn’t helped matters.
Even GOP candidates in the state seem to be distancing themselves from Trump’s rhetoric, perhaps recognizing the political danger of aligning with his falsehoods. For example, the GOP candidate for governor in North Carolina is currently facing significant challenges in the polls. As we wrote HERE, the Democratic candidate holds a clear and overwhelming lead. While this can’t solely be attributed to Trump’s misleading claims, it certainly plays a part in shaping the political landscape.
Projection: A Classic Trump Move
What’s particularly troubling about Trump’s lies regarding Hurricane Helene is how they reflect a broader pattern of behavior—one that we’ve seen before. As reported HERE, Trump has a history of using disasters as opportunities for political maneuvering. During his presidency, it was revealed that Trump checked vote counts in wildfire-affected areas before offering federal aid, according to officials. This projection—accusing others of the very things he’s guilty of—is a hallmark of Trump’s political strategy.
The Charlotte Observer editorial does an excellent job of shining a light on this tendency, stating that:
“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.”
The Danger of Disinformation
Trump’s continued reliance on disinformation has far-reaching consequences. As we’ve written before, the spread of false narratives can have a tangible impact on relief efforts. By undermining confidence in local and federal authorities, Trump is effectively slowing down the very processes meant to help those in need. And in the case of Hurricane Helene, where time is of the essence, this kind of political posturing is not just harmful—it’s deadly.
North Carolina’s second-largest newspaper calling out Trump is a powerful reminder that facts still matter. The state’s citizens deserve a clear, honest appraisal of the situation, not a flood of lies designed to serve one man’s political ambitions. As the editorial so aptly puts it:
“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.”
This powerful critique of Trump’s tactics is just the latest chapter in a long-standing battle against political misinformation. And in the face of a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In the wake of The Charlotte Observer’s editorial, it’s clear that Trump’s disinformation campaign is losing ground. With local officials and even some GOP members pushing back, it remains to be seen how this latest episode will play out, but one thing is for sure—North Carolina’s citizens will not be swayed by political lies when their lives and communities are on the line.
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
