U.S. Representative Carlos Giménez is criticizing those spreading misinformation as Hurricane Milton approaches the Gulf Coast, particularly targeting one of his colleagues known for conspiracy theories. He responded to a post from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who claimed that humans can control the weather, with a sharp remark: “Humans can’t create or control hurricanes. Anyone who thinks they can needs to have their head examined.”
Giménez’s comments come as he and other Florida Republicans work to combat false information that could endanger lives due to the impending storm, following Hurricane Helene’s recent devastating impact at Category 4 strength. He emphasized the need for accurate information and community support during disasters, stating, “There’s no place for misinformation, especially when it’s on purpose at times like this.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in on the issue, noting the prevalence of false information online and the irresponsibility of sharing outrageous claims. He pointed out that the dissemination of misleading information during emergencies can have serious consequences.
Christina Pushaw, a communications advisor for DeSantis, echoed these sentiments and urged individuals to be wary of social media posts without credible evidence. She cautioned against believing sensational stories and highlighted the tendency for misinformation to thrive around natural disasters due to heightened public interest.
Former President Donald Trump has continued to propagate claims of federal neglect towards Republican areas, asserting that disaster aid is misallocated to Democratic states and illegal migrants. Data from FEMA indicates that a significant portion of aid goes to states that voted for Trump in the last election, and Republican leaders in those states have generally praised the federal response.
Additionally, some Republican representatives have perpetuated misconceptions about FEMA’s funding. For instance, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna suggested that FEMA’s budget is strained due to financial aid for migrants, although emergency funds for migrant housing are separate from disaster relief funds.
On the legislative front, Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz has introduced various bills aimed at enhancing FEMA’s disaster response capabilities, including one that allocates $10 billion for relief efforts and $5 billion for housing-related initiatives following disasters. He has called for Congress to expedite these measures to ensure timely aid.
Moskowitz also joined the ridicule of Greene’s weather control claims, which have been fact-checked to clarify that, while small-scale weather manipulation is possible, controlling large weather events like hurricanes is not. He humorously referenced Greene’s previous controversial statements alongside the latest claims, drawing attention to the absurdity of her assertions.