New York CNN —False claims about the federal response to the historic devastation left by Hurricane Helene are spreading out of control on social media, hampering recovery efforts in hard-hit areas, according to local officials.
Elon Musk, the X owner who has endorsed Trump, has repeatedly posted rumors and innuendo denigrating the federal government’s response to Helene.
Most of the misinformation is brazenly political, portraying President Joe Biden and Harris as incompetent in an attempt to help Trump win reelection.
Some of the most-shared lies on social media have involved FEMA’s response.
“Republican elected officials keep rebutting the BS, and MAGA does not care,” conservative columnist David French said in a social media post Saturday.
Persons:
Hurricane Helene, Biden, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, ” Tim Alberta, Elon Musk, Trump, Helene, Joe Biden, Harris, Kerry Giles, ” Giles, ” Trump, “, MAGA, David French, ” Mike Rothschild, ”, Appodlachia, Billy Ball
Organizations:
New, New York CNN, Hurricane, FEMA, The Atlantic, Trump, Republican, CNN, “ Republican, Facebook, North
Locations:
New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Rutherford County , NC, Lake Lure, “, U.S