Debunking Trump’s False Claims on FEMA’s Hurricane Relief During North Carolina Visit

During a recent visit to North Carolina, former President Donald Trump made misleading statements regarding FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, reiterating claims that have already been widely discredited. Speaking in a community severely affected by the hurricane near Asheville, Trump alleged that funds meant for disaster relief were redirected to assist undocumented immigrants, leaving FEMA with insufficient resources for American citizens.

Trump claimed, “It’s all gone. They’ve spent it on illegal migrants,” and questioned the appropriateness of spending “hundreds of millions of dollars on something that they were not supposed to be spending it on.” He further insinuated that this misallocation was aimed at influencing voter demographics, stating, “Maybe so they could vote in the election… a lot of people are saying that’s why they’re doing it.”

These assertions are incorrect for several reasons.

Firstly, there is no evidence supporting Trump’s suggestion that FEMA or the Biden administration is attempting to facilitate illegal voting by undocumented immigrants in the upcoming 2024 election. Voting by noncitizens in federal elections is a serious crime, and Trump has provided no substantiation for his claims about any such schemes.

Secondly, the notion that FEMA’s disaster relief funds were improperly redirected to assist migrants is simply false. In reality, Congress allocated $650 million in the 2024 fiscal year specifically for a program intended to assist state and local governments in housing migrants. This funding was designated for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which then transferred it to FEMA for administration. Crucially, this $650 million is entirely separate from FEMA’s substantial disaster relief budget, which exceeds $35 billion for fiscal 2024, as noted by official FEMA data. Even Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina who stood alongside Trump during his remarks, has publicly refuted this claim, emphasizing that “FEMA has NOT diverted disaster response funding to the border or foreign aid.”

Furthermore, Trump’s assertion that FEMA is “all gone” is misleading. FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund had approximately $8.5 billion available as of last Tuesday, according to FEMA officials. They clarified that sufficient funds exist to address the immediate needs of individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene. While FEMA is indeed facing a high volume of disasters nationwide this year—including tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes—which may prompt a request for additional funding from Congress, the agency has assured that it is not out of funds.

It is important to highlight that while Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas did mention challenges related to upcoming disasters, he also affirmed that immediate needs could be met. His comments did not imply that FEMA’s funds were depleted, contradicting Trump’s statements.

Lastly, Trump’s claim that the Biden administration “didn’t have any money left for North Carolina” is incorrect. The administration has allocated various forms of support to the state following Hurricane Helene. According to the White House, over $300 million has been approved in assistance, with FEMA alone approving more than $102 million for individual aid in North Carolina, in addition to significant support for local governments.

In summary, Trump’s recent comments regarding FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene are based on a series of falsehoods. These claims not only misrepresent the facts but also undermine the significant aid efforts underway to assist those affected by the disaster in North Carolina. As the situation continues to evolve, it is vital to rely on accurate information regarding federal disaster relief and the ongoing support for impacted communities.