Donald Trump Jr. was one of multiple high-profile Republicans who criticized Vice President Kamala Harris following her visit to see Hurricane Helene’s damage in Georgia Wednesday, claiming she only offered those affected $750.
The Democratic presidential candidate mentioned the money during a speech in Augusta, sparking outrage from those on the right who said it was all she was offering to those impacted by the disaster.
At least 200 people have died as a result of the storm, which passed over Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Many homes were washed away or badly damaged, while thousands were left without power or access to communications.
The outrage on the right over the $750 remark came after claims that other FEMA grants for communities dealing with an influx of migrants could be used in the Helene relief effort.
US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) embraces community members as she surveys the damage from Hurricane Helene, in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Augusta, Georgia, on October 2, 2024. US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday witnessed first-hand the catastrophic destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, as several thousand responders joined all-out efforts to rescue residents and care for millions impacted by the storm.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
The Claim
“$750 for Americans in desperate need many of whom lost everything including family,” Trump Jr. posted on X, formerly Twitter. “$250 BILLION spent in Ukraine with a population of +- 38 million equals a bit more than $6500 per person in F$&?ing UKRAINE!!! For what? Enough of this madness!”
The claim that $750 per-person was all that was being offered by the federal government was made by others on the social media platform, with one user saying: “I can’t believe what I’m hearing”.
Those angry said that many families had lost everything in recent days and that the White House should be offering them more.
The Facts
Vice President Harris spoke at length in August, Georgia on Wednesday, Oct. 3, while also meeting those distributing aid and cleaning up after the storm.
During her speech, Harris mentioned the cash disbursements as one part of a larger relief effort.
“And the federal relief and assistance that we have been providing has included FEMA providing $750 for folks who need immediate needs being met, such as food, baby formula, and the like. And you can apply now,” she said.
A clip of that moment was shared and amplified by multiple big accounts on X, though it was one part of more detailed remarks regarding the federal response to the storm.
Harris said FEMA workers were going door-to-door to get residents the immediate relief money, while those who had an internet connection could apply online.
She also outlined the additional, longer-term emergency funding being made available, adding: “FEMA is also providing tens of thousands more dollars for folks to help them be able to deal with home repair, to be able to cover a deductible when and if they have insurance, and also hotel costs.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with community members as she surveys the damage from Hurricane Helene, in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Augusta, Georgia, on October 2, 2024. US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday witnessed first-hand the catastrophic destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, as several thousand responders joined all-out efforts to rescue residents and care for millions impacted by the storm.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
The Biden administration was providing over $10 million in assistance to the states affected, FEMA said in a press release.
The federal relief agency had shipped over 8.8 million meals, more than 7.4 million liters of water, 150 generators, and more than 225,000 tarps to the storm zone, it said.
Crews were also helping to restore power and set up satellite internet links for those without service.
Over 1,600 interactions with people and animals, including rescues and evacuations, had also taken place with federal assistance.
President Joe Biden also said his administration would cover 100 percent of the costs for the first 180 days in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
The Ruling
Needs Context.
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