Republicans Unite Against Misinformation as Hurricane Milton Approaches Florida
Washington, CNN — As Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm, barrels toward Florida, Republicans are rallying to combat misinformation that could jeopardize the safety of their constituents. In an unusual display of unity, party members are not hesitating to call out their own, including their presidential nominee, for spreading falsehoods that could endanger lives.
The storm is expected to make landfall overnight Wednesday, just as communities across the South are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. In the face of this impending disaster, some Republican leaders have taken a stand against conspiracy theories that could mislead the public.
Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a former firefighter-paramedic and Miami-Dade County mayor, publicly admonished Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for her recent comments suggesting that weather can be manipulated. “Get your head examined,” Gimenez said on CNN’s “This Morning,” emphasizing that there is “no place for misinformation, especially when it’s on purpose, at times like this.”
Greene, who has been vocal about her beliefs, doubled down on her claims last week, posting on social media that “they can control the weather” without specifying who “they” are. Despite the backlash, she shared a meme and a link to a Gateway Pundit article that she believes supports her assertions.
In North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards, who has been actively involved in recovery efforts, felt compelled to address the spread of conspiracy theories in a letter to his community. “Amidst all of the support, we have also seen an uptick in untrustworthy sources trying to spark chaos,” he wrote, firmly stating, “Nobody can control the weather.”
The disinformation campaign has not only drawn ire from within the party but has also caught the attention of former President Donald Trump, who has made several misleading claims regarding FEMA and disaster aid. At a recent rally in Michigan, Trump falsely asserted that FEMA funds were being misallocated to assist undocumented migrants, a statement that has been met with widespread criticism.
Senator Mitt Romney of Utah did not hold back in his condemnation of Trump’s remarks, calling them a “holiday from the truth” and suggesting that such disinformation could be beneficial to adversaries like China. “He just makes it up,” Romney said, highlighting the potential dangers of spreading false narratives during a crisis.
The Biden administration has also been vocal in its criticism of the misinformation. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that the spread of false information actively harms the ability of responders to do their jobs effectively. President Biden echoed these sentiments, calling out Trump and Greene for their “bizarre” claims and emphasizing the need for accurate information during emergencies.
Even Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who has endorsed Trump, broke ranks to debunk several of the former president’s claims. “We have to stay focused on rescue operations,” Tillis said, urging the public to disregard distractions that could hinder recovery efforts.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is also in the Republican presidential primary race, joined the chorus of voices urging residents to ignore online misinformation as they prepare for the storm.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, the call for truth and clarity has never been more crucial. With lives at stake, the bipartisan effort to combat misinformation serves as a reminder that in times of crisis, accurate information can make all the difference.
