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In a stark rebuttal on Friday, the White House condemned former president Donald Trump's false assertions about the allocation of Hurricane Helene relief funds. According to Trump, disaster response money was diverted to support illegal immigrants, a claim the administration labeled as “poisonous” misinformation.

Appearing at a news conference in Evans, Georgia, Trump repeated his unfounded allegation, asserting that the U.S. government lacked storm response funds because they were misappropriated for housing immigrants. A White House memo, released the same day, vehemently refuted these claims as "bald-faced lies" by Republicans aimed at creating division during a critical time.

"Every leader, irrespective of their political stance, must refrain from spreading this harmful misinformation," White House spokesman Andrew Bates stated in the memo. He emphasized that the priority should be aiding those affected by the hurricane, not political maneuvering.

Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across several Southern states, leaving 213 dead and causing widespread destruction. The hurricane is considered one of the most severe and deadly to hit the Gulf Coast in recent history, resulting in the dismantling of homes, disruption of water supplies, and isolation of entire towns.

In response, the federal government has adhered to standard disaster protocols, deploying more than 1,000 personnel, distributing essential supplies, and coordinating with state and local entities. Despite some residents' complaints about delays in aid, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is actively engaged in extensive search-and-rescue operations and processing aid applications.

Trump's allegations have particularly targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, inaccurately accusing her of misallocating FEMA funds. This line of attack has further confused the already complex disaster situation for many victims. Despite these claims, the Washington Post confirmed that Harris does not control FEMA’s budget, and the federal government retains sufficient funds to manage Helene's aftermath.

The White House revealed that FEMA has already disbursed $45 million in direct assistance to individuals impacted by the hurricane. The memo categorically denied any diversion of disaster relief funds to immigration services, calling out Trump's prevarications.

Historically, Trump himself redirected significant FEMA funds to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during his presidency, including almost $10 million in 2018 and $38 million during the 2019 hurricane season. His past handling of natural disasters, notably Hurricanes Irma and Maria, drew substantial criticism, further complicated by his rollback of critical environmental regulations during his tenure.

Instead of facilitating the recovery process, Trump's disinformation is seen by experts as detrimental, making it harder for hurricane victims to understand and access available aid. Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp has expressed gratitude for the ongoing federal response, though he also requested additional aid. However, Trump's misleading claims overshadow these efforts, portraying the government’s reaction as inadequate.

Trump's focus on electoral battleground states during his Helene response tour has drawn ire from various quarters. Fair Fight, a voting rights organization, criticized Governor Kemp for involving Trump in official briefings, accusing him of politicizing a critical recovery effort.

In sum, the Biden administration continues to counteract the spread of misinformation, urging a focus on recovery rather than divisive politics, as communities strive to rebuild after the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.