On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg appeared on MSNBC’s Dateline White House with Nicolle Wallace to discuss his department’s preparations for Hurricane Milton and the challenges posed by disinformation that has complicated relief efforts during recent disasters.
Buttigieg outlined the proactive measures the Department of Transportation (DOT) is taking in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida late Wednesday night. “We’ve got folks positioned now, and that’s everywhere from the FAA to the Federal Highway Administration, ready as soon as it’s possible to get into the affected area afterward to help,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of maintaining clear evacuation routes, utilizing shoulder lanes on major highways like I-4 and I-75 to facilitate safe travel.
Additionally, Buttigieg highlighted the DOT’s approval of anticipatory licenses for drone flights, which will enable Florida utilities to quickly assess potential damage after the storm passes. “So whether we’re talking about sea, air, or land, we’re doing everything we can to help make sure that Florida is well-positioned to recover,” he stated.
What sets this hurricane response apart, Buttigieg noted, is that it overlaps with ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, which struck the Southeast just two weeks prior. “Between those two events, we’ve got hundreds of DOT personnel on the ground,” he shared, adding that he recently briefed President Joe Biden on the department’s efforts during a meeting with several cabinet agencies. “It is the only time I can think of when we had to provide updates on what we were doing to deal with the last disaster and what we were doing for an upcoming disaster in the same meeting,” he reflected, underscoring the unique challenges posed by concurrent disaster responses.
Buttigieg also addressed the pervasive disinformation that has hindered disaster relief efforts, especially following Hurricane Helene. “We’ve never seen anything like we have at this level,” he remarked, highlighting the need for accurate information during crises. He emphasized the importance of turning to reliable sources, such as FEMA and local officials, rather than unverified claims circulating on social media.
“It is so important right now to turn to trusted sources of information… and not be listening to some guy on the internet because it can make a life or death difference in the context of a disaster,” Buttigieg said, underscoring the potential consequences of misinformation.
The conversation then shifted to one of the more prominent figures in the disinformation debate, Elon Musk. Recently, Musk accused the FAA of obstructing relief efforts during Hurricane Helene, alleging that FAA regulations were “throttling” airspace and preventing helicopters from delivering Starlink internet terminals. He voiced these accusations on his platform, X (formerly Twitter), labeling the government’s actions as “belligerent government incompetence.”
Buttigieg addressed these claims, stressing that misinformation can not only mislead the public but also complicate and hinder coordinated disaster response efforts. He reiterated that maintaining clear communication from trusted sources is critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by natural disasters.
Buttigieg quickly countered Musk’s assertions, responding directly on X and clarifying that FAA regulations were not hindering relief flights. Following a direct conversation with Musk, Buttigieg explained that the real issue stemmed from logistical challenges in delivering satellite equipment, a problem the FAA helped to resolve.
“It was a good example of the difference between human beings talking to each other in order to solve a problem versus everybody just kind of being behind their Twitter accounts saying things that aren’t verified,” Buttigieg remarked.
Many on the right, including former President Donald Trump, have propagated false claims that federal resources were being withheld from Republican-leaning areas. According to CNN, Trump has been a prominent voice spreading misinformation about the federal response to Hurricane Helene. Over a span of six days, he made numerous false statements, including claims that FEMA was offering only $750 to storm survivors and that federal aid was being diverted to migrants. FEMA officials have clarified that the $750 is merely an initial grant for emergency needs such as food and water, with more substantial amounts available for home repairs and other assistance. Trump also claimed without basis that the Biden administration was deliberately withholding aid from Republican-leaning areas.
Earlier on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris made an impromptu phone appearance on CNN, where she firmly denounced the spread of disinformation regarding the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Harris called out the misleading claims circulating online, stating, “It is dangerous. It is unconscionable, frankly, that anyone who would consider themselves a leader would mislead desperate people to the point that those desperate people would not receive the aid to which they are entitled.” She urged political leaders to set aside partisanship during crises and focus on helping those affected.
In addition to the claims surrounding federal aid, another wave of misinformation has emerged, including false rumors that FEMA was seizing supplies and property, with accusations of confiscating homes for lithium deposits hidden beneath.
Buttigieg echoed Harris’s concerns, stressing the dangers of false information during disasters. He explained that misleading claims could discourage individuals from applying for the full range of benefits they are entitled to, ultimately harming those in need. “These falsehoods can make a life or death difference,” Buttigieg warned. “It’s never been more important, especially when you have life and death decisions depending on people understanding the information that they’re getting from real, credible sources.”
When asked about the ongoing challenge of combating misinformation, Buttigieg acknowledged the difficulty but emphasized the importance of truthfulness and responsibility from those in power. “There’s a level of responsibility that comes with having a platform,” he stated. “Anybody who has a platform has a responsibility to use it to make sure people get good information and to tell the truth.”
Buttigieg also referenced one of the most outlandish conspiracy theories circulating recently, alluding to Republican Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene without naming her. Greene had falsely claimed that Democrats were controlling the weather and targeting Republican-leaning areas with hurricanes. “A lot of us have views about that member of Congress, but there are people out there who, because that’s a member of Congress, will believe that sort of thing,” Buttigieg remarked. He highlighted the life-and-death consequences of spreading such falsehoods when people rely on accurate information to make critical safety decisions.
“People deserve support. They deserve resources. They deserve good information. And they deserve the truth,” Buttigieg concluded.
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