WASHINGTON – Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell pushed back against former President Donald Trump’s false claims about the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and indicated she was disappointed in the misinformation he was spreading.
Trump has spread baseless claims of hurricane relief efforts, including allegations that there are “no helicopters, no rescue” in North Carolina and that the federal government is only giving $750 to those who have lost their homes. FEMA has addressed misinformation on its webpage and social media.
When asked about whether she thinks Trump is playing politics with the hurricane response, Criswell said in a press call Tuesday, “as it relates to the rumors ... I'm frankly disappointed that we're still having to have this conversation.”
Hurricane Helene, which ravaged southeastern states including North Carolina and Florida, left more than 200 dead and millions without power.
“I would say just because you don't see somebody in a FEMA shirt on the ground doesn't mean FEMA is not here, and FEMA is one part of the team – our urban search and rescue teams, the Army Corps of Engineers,” she added.
Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.
The $750 figure has also been misrepresented, she said, explaining that the money is going out to individuals in the most impacted areas first. As more information is collected about the individuals and what their situation with housing is, they will get...
Odyssey Jones has spoken out for the first time since his departure from WWE in 2024 following domestic violence allegations that surfaced during his time with the company. Jones, who was quietly ...