“Hurting His Own Supporters”: Dana Bash Calls Out Trump for FEMA Conspiracy in Hurricane Helene Aftermath
(foxnews)
CNN host Dana Bash took aim at former President Donald Trump on Monday, accusing him of harming his own MAGA supporters by spreading misinformation about FEMA’s relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods in western North Carolina. Bash claimed that Trump’s conspiracy theories are creating unnecessary barriers for those in need of federal aid.
During a panel discussion on CNN, Bash highlighted the Biden administration’s response to Trump’s statements. “The Biden administration is blasting Donald Trump’s barrage of lies in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” she said. “The former president is falsely accusing federal relief agencies of malicious withholding and misusing aid,” Bash emphasized that these false claims are not only damaging but are also impacting the very people Trump claims to champion.
“They’re rumors, and they’re lies, and they are hurting the very people,” she stated. “The thousands of FEMA emergency responders are trying to help as we speak.” Bash then brought in FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell’s response to Trump’s comments. Criswell expressed concern that the misinformation is discouraging victims from applying for aid. “If I can’t get them to apply, I can’t give them the money and the resources that they’re eligible for,” Criswell explained, underscoring the real-world impact of Trump’s remarks on the agency’s ability to provide assistance.
CNN correspondent Priscilla Alvarez added context, explaining that Trump surrogates, including RNC co-chair Lara Trump, were misrepresenting the use of funds by conflating allocations for migrant shelters with disaster relief. “The money has not been and never has been transferred over,” Alvarez insisted, countering the claims being circulated by Trump’s supporters. “All of this to say that when I have been talking to my sources about what the former president is saying, the ultimate concern is that people will not apply for assistance.”
Bash’s segment painted a stark picture of the challenges FEMA faces in delivering aid amid a flood of misinformation. Her critique of Trump’s conspiracy theories highlighted a broader issue: misinformation that directly impacts the ability of federal agencies to perform their duties. As Hurricane Helene’s aftermath continues to unfold, the struggle to connect affected communities with the aid they desperately need is only complicated further by political rhetoric and false claims.
The segment underscored the real consequences of misinformation in crisis situations and the critical need for clear, accurate information to ensure aid reaches those who need it most. For now, the debate rages on as FEMA works tirelessly to deliver resources, while Trump’s statements threaten to undermine these efforts, potentially leaving his own supporters without the support they are entitled to.
