As rescue operations continued in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the US faced another major natural disaster when Hurricane Milton struck Florida just days later. Amid the chaos, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged, diverting attention and resources from critical rescue efforts. Elon Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has become a focal point for such theories, with Musk and Donald Trump reportedly amplifying them.
Concerns have been raised that these conspiracy theories not only disrupt rescue operations but also endanger the safety of rescue workers. President Joe Biden criticized the "reckless and irresponsible spread of disinformation and outright lies," emphasizing that they undermine public confidence in Florida's significant rescue and recovery efforts. The White House further noted that these theories are eroding trust in the dedicated work being done.
Among the conspiracy theories circulating on X are claims that Hurricane Milton was not a natural event but "geoengineered" by the US government. Some allege that Hurricane Helene was engineered to access lithium deposits in Chimney Rock, with local officials allegedly clearing the area. Others suggest it was a Democratic plot to hinder Republican voters, despite the fact that millions of Democrats were also in the hurricanes' paths, rendering the theory incoherent.
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Conspiracy Theories Run Amok After Two Hurricanes
Weather experts emphasize that humans cannot create or stop hurricanes. Suzana Camargo from Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory stated, "With current knowledge and technology, it's impossible to use geoengineering to alter hurricanes." Charles Konrad, director of NOAA's Southeast Regional Climate Center, concurred, noting that no technology exists to geoengineer a hurricane.
A conspiracy theory claims that FEMA is rejecting donations and confiscating supplies intended for relief efforts. In reality, FEMA does not engage in such activities, and road closures are handled by local law enforcement. Another theory suggests FEMA seizes properties from disaster relief applicants, which is also false, as the agency lacks such authority and there is no evidence supporting these claims.
FEMA Is Not Running Out of Money
A conspiracy theory suggests that FEMA is running out of money, but there is some truth to this claim. The theory originated from comments by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who stated, “We are expecting another hurricane hitting — we do not have the funds, FEMA does not have the funds, to make it through the season.”
In reality, while two hurricanes in quick succession have strained FEMA’s finances, the agency has assured that it has “enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs.” Mayorkas clarified that while relief for these two hurricanes is covered, additional resources might be necessary for a third severe disaster. It's worth noting that it is not the Democrats who are withholding additional funding for FEMA.
Republicans have repeatedly refused to increase FEMA’s funding, despite its current deficit. Recently, 100 Republicans opposed a budget proposal to boost FEMA’s finances, effectively blocking the initiative. Moreover, with Congress not in session, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson would need to call a special session to approve more funding for FEMA, but he has already indicated he will not do so.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell informed reporters, “I have funding and sufficient resources to support the ongoing responses to Hurricane Helene as well as Hurricane Milton.” However, she added that the agency is still evaluating the rescue costs to determine if additional funds from Congress are necessary.
Conspiracy Theory Over Funds Being Diverted to Migrants
The most prominent conspiracy theory currently suggests that disaster relief funds are being redirected to illegal migrants. FEMA has dismissed these claims, stating, "No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is exclusively allocated for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster-related efforts."
Additionally, antisemitic sentiments are prevalent, with rumors alleging that aid distribution is influenced by demographic characteristics and questioning the loyalty of FEMA's Director of Public Affairs, Jaclyn Rothenberg, due to her Jewish heritage.
Regrettably, such blatant bigotry is becoming more frequent on Elon Musk's X platform, where content including Hitler apologism and various forms of antisemitism garners millions of views.
Why Have Conspiracy Theories Been Spreading So Fast
Typically, such conspiracy theories might not have gained so much traction, but the hurricanes occurring just weeks before the US Presidential elections have turned them into a political flashpoint. The political climate is tense as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are closely contesting, with polls indicating Harris has a slight lead. In this environment, discourse and conspiracy theories about a natural disaster are not unexpected.
Compounding the issue is that X has relaxed its content moderation policies, becoming a haven for far-right activists, purveyors of fake news, and conspiracy theorists. X's owner, Elon Musk, who supports Trump in the 2024 presidential election, has also endorsed some conspiracy theories. For example, Musk suggested he provided free Starlink connectivity to areas affected by Hurricane Helene at Trump's request. However, the Biden administration has refuted this, stating that Starlink services were already available in those regions.
Many Verified X Accounts Are Spreading Rumors
To boost X's declining revenues—affected by advertisers withdrawing due to the platform's surge in hate speech and misinformation—Musk introduced paid verification. Although intended to "democratize" the prestigious blue ticks, this move has led to the verification of many accounts that spread misinformation. During severe hurricanes, for instance, numerous verified accounts have propagated harmful conspiracy theories, making it challenging for users to differentiate them from credible sources. Reports have highlighted an increase in hate speech, misinformation, and antisemitism on X since Musk assumed control.
X Is At the Center of Controversy
Hurricane conspiracy theories are rampant on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with X being a focal point of controversy due to support from Musk and Trump. Trump has also used his Truth Social platform to criticize the Biden administration’s response, calling Hurricane Helene the "WORST & MOST INCOMPETENTLY MANAGED STORM AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, EVER SEEN BEFORE."
While X and Musk face little resistance in the US despite misinformation on the platform, challenges arise in Europe. The European Commission claims X is not adhering to the Digital Services Act (DSA), while Musk argues the Commission seeks to censor free speech to avoid fines.
In a related development, France recently arrested Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, as the platform is scrutinized by law enforcement for allegedly failing to prevent illegal activities. X's lenient content moderation policies have also drawn criticism from regulators. Although Musk identifies as a "free speech absolutist," X has complied with takedown requests from various countries, including Brazil, after initially resisting the country's Supreme Court's demands.
Musk's ongoing conflict with Brazilian jurist Alexandre de Moraes centers on misinformation and far-right accounts spreading hate on X. Despite these issues, X remains a platform for misinformation in the US, including recent hurricane conspiracy theories.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
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