PHOENIX — NBC News asked six Trump supporters what they thought about FEMA’s response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton. All six were angry about FEMA’s response, and five of them were angry about repeated false claims about FEMA by Mr. Trump and his allies.
“There are videos all over of people trying to help, setting up little camps, setting up all their belongings, and they [FEMA] They come by helicopter. They’re coming in and shutting people down,” said Tyler Hammond, who falsely claimed that FEMA was actively blocking hurricane aid.
His wife, Taylor Hammond, also claimed to have seen the same thing. “They are literally actively preventing Americans from helping other Americans, and that will never be tolerated,” she said.
When asked where they watched these videos, the couple said TikTok.
Taylor-Hammond also falsely claimed that FEMA only provided $750 in relief payments to hurricane victims. Three other Trump supporters interviewed by NBC News echoed Trump’s false claim that hurricane relief money is being spent on immigrants.
“They are destroying this country by giving all our money to illegal criminals just to get the right to vote in the future,” said Patricia Kipp Funaro, 55.
on the established website To counter false rumors about hurricane relief, FEMA has disputed that it is confiscating donations and blocking volunteers. Although the agency is not accepting donations or volunteers, “FEMA encourages people who wish to help with volunteer efforts to make cash donations or donations to reputable volunteer organizations or charities.” There is.
Regarding the $750 request, which Mr. Additional support may be available for other needs, such as: For temporary housing, personal property, and home repair costs. ”
As NBC News reported, claims that disaster relief is going to illegal immigrants are false and appear to be the result of people confusing two separate funds.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-RN.C., also disputed claims that FEMA was suppressing aid, saying in a press release, “FEMA has stopped trucks and vehicles loaded with donations and confiscated supplies. We have not confiscated or refused donations.”
“This is a blatant lie. We are working around the clock with all of our partners to get people help,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. said in a tweetOn Friday, he responded to President Trump’s claims that Democrats are blocking aid from flowing into hurricane-ravaged areas.
