By James J. Devine
Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across the U.S., claiming over 229 lives and causing an estimated $26 billion in damages, marking it as the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina.
Politics shouldn’t be part of the conversation when it comes to disaster relief in this government but in the wake of this tragedy, Americans are witnessing a disturbing phenomenon: the spread of blatant lies and manipulative falsehoods that are driving desperate people to act in ways that are not only irrational but often downright dangerous.
From the moment Helene made landfall, social media platforms became cesspools of misinformation. Baseless rumors of a second storm and unfounded claims about bursting dams have stoked unnecessary panic among residents.
These lies have prompted real fear and irrational behavior, forcing people into premature evacuations and increasing their anxiety in an already devastating situation.
Nicole McNeill, a resident of Asheville, suffered a panic attack after encountering a sensationalized article claiming another storm was imminent. This is not just misinformation; it is a calculated manipulation that endangers lives.
The political elite, rather than providing the truth and stability that communities desperately need, have seized upon this disaster to further their agendas.
Disgraced former President Donald Trump, the first American president ever convicted of a felony—34 felonies, in fact—has spread blatant lies about the federal disaster response, claiming that relief funds are being misused to support undocumented migrants instead of helping victims of the hurricane.
This sort of inflammatory rhetoric is not just misleading; it’s malicious. It encourages irrational responses and sows discord when what is truly needed is solidarity and support.
By amplifying division and distortions, Trump intends to rally his base, positioning himself as a champion of their grievances in a cruel strategy aimed to solidify his support and distract from critiques of his leadership or policy failures.
By exploiting emotions through false claims or incendiary statements, Trump is turning fear into a tool for political gain, a tactic to create a rallying cry around immigration or government overreach, issues that resonate strongly with his supporters.
By spreading misinformation about federal responses or allocating blame, Trump can deflect attention from his administration’s dismal performance during California’s wildfires, the Covid pandemic, global terrorism, mass shootings, or natural disasters like flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
During his presidency, Trump politicized disaster response—as in the case when he casually tossed rolls of paper towels into a crowd in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.
According to two former officials, Trump initially refused to approve disaster aid for California after the wildfires in 2018 because the state had a lot of Democratic voters.
“As a Homeland Security Advisor in the Trump White House, I witnessed firsthand how Donald Trump politicized disaster relief, leaving devastated Americans waiting for help. Leaders across the country & government were calling my office, desperate for action as Trump failed them in moments of crisis,” said Olivia Troye, who has since been a leading critic of the disgraced former president in whose administration she served.
These lies are not harmless. They have real-world consequences that lead people to make decisions that no rational individual would ever consider. In North Carolina, conspiracy theories have emerged suggesting that government officials are seizing towns and bulldozing bodies under the rubble—an outright falsehood.
Such absurd claims have led to panic and chaos, diverting attention from genuine recovery efforts. This is a textbook example of how lies can manipulate people into doing stupid things, like fleeing from imaginary threats rather than focusing on the very real dangers they face.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local officials have worked tirelessly to counter these falsehoods, but their messages often get lost amid the clamor of social media hysteria.
Under Elon Musk’s management, X has rolled back content moderation, creating an environment where lies can thrive unchecked. The public should be able to trust that their information sources provide accurate updates during crises, yet the current landscape is rife with deception and manipulation.
This situation is a moral failing on the part of those who prioritize political gain over the well-being of communities. The lies circulating during this disaster have compounded the suffering of countless individuals, leading to actions that are not only foolish but harmful. This is not merely a failure of communication; it is an exploitation of fear and uncertainty that undermines the very fabric of our society.
As we continue to navigate the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we must confront the reality that lies and manipulative rhetoric are making a devastating situation even worse. We must demand accountability from those spreading falsehoods and advocate for integrity in communication, especially during crises.
Lives are at stake, and we cannot allow the truth to be overshadowed by lies that lead people to act in ways that no rational person would ever consider. It is time to stand against this manipulation and protect our communities from further harm.
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