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Trump Doubles Down On Unfounded Claims About Hurricane Relief And People Are Furious

The lying continues.

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576 points

Did you know that FEMA provides much more than just $750 to people after a disaster? Well, at a recent rally in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump didn’t seem to care about facts. He told his supporters that FEMA was doing a poor job in helping people affected by the storms in North Carolina. Trump claimed, “They don’t have people there. All of the people in North Carolina, no helicopters, no rescue. What’s happened there is very bad. They are offering $750 to people whose homes have been washed away.”

But, as usual, Trump’s words were far from the truth. First, the $750 Trump mentioned is not the only money people can get. This is an immediate electronic payment that FEMA sends to help people quickly buy things like food, water, baby supplies, medication, and other essentials. It is called Serious Needs Assistance. This is not the only money they will get from FEMA. It’s just a first step to get urgent help to those who need it fast. More aid will come later, once FEMA has had the time to fully assess the damage and process the applications for further assistance.

In fact, victims can apply for much more than just $750. They can qualify for up to $42,500 in relief from FEMA. This money helps people pay for things like temporary housing, repairs to their homes, and personal property that was damaged or lost. Trump either does not know this or is choosing to ignore it for the sake of stirring up anger and confusion among his supporters.

It’s important to remember that Trump is no stranger to FEMA. As president, he actually took $155 million from FEMA in 2019 and used it to build migrant detention camps. So, if anyone is responsible for weakening FEMA’s ability to help people in need, it’s Trump himself. These budget cuts hurt FEMA’s ability to respond to natural disasters, and now Trump is trying to place the blame on the current administration instead of owning up to his past actions.

People on social media have been quick to call out Trump’s lies. Acyn’s tweet about Trump’s rally sparked a lot of responses from people who are fed up with his constant falsehoods. Art Candee tweeted, “He can’t stop lying about FEMA and the hurricane relief efforts. What a shameful man.” Another user, @A_tothe_Z_Amber, said, “The amount of lying when it’s been proven otherwise is beyond the pale. Self-serving prick.” Meanwhile, Xelon Muskrat remarked, “I will celebrate with a bottle of champagne the day he goes to prison.”

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Even people who are familiar with FEMA’s work are weighing in. Dr. G tweeted, “He was POTUS for four years. He knows how FEMA works. FEMA doesn’t rebuild your home. They can give you a large sum of money but you’re expected to have a form of home insurance too.”

This is true—FEMA doesn’t replace everything that is lost, but they help a lot with the recovery process.  Unfortunately, Trump’s has a history of downplaying disasters and blaming others for his own mistakes. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, Trump claimed that the disaster wasn’t as bad as people were saying. He even said that the death toll, which was nearly 3,000 people, was exaggerated to make him look bad. His response to that crisis was heavily criticized, and now, with his comments about FEMA, it seems like he hasn’t learned from his past mistakes.

When false information is spread about FEMA, it doesn’t just hurt the people who need help the most—it also makes it harder for people to trust the government. If people believe Trump’s lies, how will they know how to get the full help they deserve? Instead of bringing people together during tough times, Trump’s false claims only create more confusion and division. Why would anyone choose to spread lies when people need the truth the most?

As Twitter user @sosayu3 wrote, “This lying is disqualifying, and quite frankly, offensive as hell.”

Featured image via Screengrab

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Terry Lawson

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I’m Terry Lawson, a writer and editor based in Alabama with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. For the past four years, I’ve worked as a ghostwriter for various companies, delivering content that meets clients' needs. I currently work as an editor and political writer for Political Tribune, creating engaging articles. I enjoy writing and have developed strong skills in writing & editing, critical thinking, and project management. My work is fueled by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to quality.

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