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. They set up little camps, set up all their belongings, and then they (FEMA) come in helicopters. They come and they shut people down.” Tyler Hammond said, falsely claiming that FEMA is 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.
A website set up to combat misinformation about hurricane relief disputed that FEMA was 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 will be directed 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.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday responded to President Trump’s claim that Democrats are blocking aid from flowing to devastated areas, saying, “This is a flat-out lie. We’re going to get aid to people.” “We are working 24/7 with all our partners to achieve this goal,” he said in a tweet. By a hurricane.
