Donald Trump criticizes the US federal government for not helping people affected by the hurricanes that are ravaging the country's southeastern parts.
However, the criticism consists largely of lies: such as the government actively refusing to help Republican voters and areas, or that the federal emergency management agency FEMA has no money because it has been spent on illegal immigrants instead.
"Honestly ridiculous", according to FEMA's highest chief. "Incredibly irresponsible", thinks the ex-president's election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
"Donald Trump is lying outright about the help available to Americans suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene", says Harris in a post on X and continues:
"It's wrong, it's dangerous, and it prevents people from getting the help they desperately need."
Phone disputes
At a campaign meeting in Georgia last week, Donald Trump claimed that President Joe Biden refused to answer the phone when the state's Republican governor Brian Kemp called. It's not true, replied both Biden and Kemp, who had recently spoken on the phone.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris said she had tried to call Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis without getting an answer. She accused the conservative DeSantis of playing political games for personal gain.
DeSantis responded that he had no knowledge of any calls from the Vice President. He accused her of having been absent during previous weather crises in the state.
She has no function here, said the Florida governor in a Fox News program, where he emphasized that he had spoken directly with President Biden instead.
Advanced weather theory
From a more extreme flank in the Republican party come even more extreme fabrications.
Some warn that the government plans to confiscate large areas of land in affected areas. Others accuse it of controlling the weather in a science fiction-like manner and thus directing the hurricanes towards Republican voters.
"Yes, they can control the weather", has the controversial and Trump-loyal congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene sworn in social media, whereupon a team of researchers through American media has explained that it's not possible.
Several prominent politicians and leaders have spread theories like these. Local politicians of different party affiliations have gone out and warned residents against believing the lies.
