### Sen. Thom Tillis Addresses Conspiracy Theories Circulating Around Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, has voiced his concerns over the proliferation of misleading conspiracy theories regarding the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the western regions of the state. Speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," Tillis stressed that these unfounded claims are detracting from the primary mission of rescuing lives and starting the rebuilding process. He advised that anyone facing genuine challenges should contact his office for assistance, emphasizing that much of the circulating information is unhelpful and inaccurate.

Tillis' remarks came shortly after North Carolina state senator Kevin Corbin took to Facebook to urge the public to dismiss the "conspiracy theory junk" surrounding the relief activities. Tillis echoed Corbin's sentiment, pointing out that many of those spreading these falsehoods are not actually present on the ground in the affected areas.

The misinformation has been rampant, particularly on social media platforms, with high-profile figures like Tesla CEO Elon Musk contributing to the spread. Musk, who attended a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been a notable promoter of these theories. In response, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to refute some of Musk's assertions.

Regarding accusations from Trump that the federal response to North Carolina's recovery has been inadequate and that emergency funds are being diverted to immigrants, Tillis offered a nuanced response. He acknowledged that substantial resources are being diverted due to what he called President Biden's failed immigration and border policies. However, he assured that the state currently has the necessary resources for the recovery efforts, although additional funding will likely be required in the future. Tillis clarified that, at present, immigration issues are not affecting the distribution of resources to western North Carolina.

Tragically, the disaster has resulted in at least 215 reported deaths, with North Carolina accounting for more than half of these fatalities, according to NBC News. The recovery efforts continue as the state grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.