Misinformation Surge Stoked by Trump and Republicans Hinders Hurricane Response

Meteorologists in the United States are facing an unprecedented wave of conspiracy theories, harassment, and even death threats as they track Hurricane Milton and other storms. This surge in misinformation has followed the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which claimed hundreds of lives, and now Milton’s impact on Florida. Many of the false claims, such as the existence of category 6 hurricanes and accusations that meteorologists are controlling the weather, have been fueled by rhetoric from Donald Trump and his supporters.

Katie Nickolaou, a meteorologist from Michigan, described the toll of these conspiracy theories, with some individuals suggesting that scientists should be killed or that government radar equipment should be destroyed. These baseless accusations are severely hampering efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies working to assist communities affected by the storms.