Marjorie Taylor Greene, the far-right congresswoman from Georgia, found herself amid controversy once again after making bizarre assertions about nature and politics following the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene. This hurricane wasn't just another storm; it claimed over 200 lives across several states, leaving devastation primarily in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Kentucky. The powerful cyclone was marked as one of the most disastrous hurricanes since Hurricane Katrina and garnered immediate national attention, including relief efforts and discussions about recovery.
Despite the overwhelming loss, Greene decided to direct the narrative toward politically charged conspiracy theories, alleging, without evidence, some shadowy group, referred to as “they,” has the ability to control the weather. "Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done," she tweeted on October 3. Greene did not specify who she was referring to, but her comments sparked backlash from both the public and fellow lawmakers.
Greene's claims may seem ludicrous to many, yet they bring to light broader conversations about misinformation and the consequences of public figures spreading unfounded theories. Her statement immediately met ridicule and condemnation. Critics, including disaster relief officials, emphasized the irresponsible nature of her comments, especially at such a tragic time. Deanne Criswell, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), criticized people who politicize natural disasters, stating, "It’s frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people.”
The storm’s aftermath had already been marred with suffering as power outages affected over 1.3 million people across Georgia alone at its peak. While Greene was busy pushing her theories, factual reports stated the financial damage costs were projected to be over $417 million. To compound the situation, misinformation about hurricane relief was rampant online, fueled by the chaos surrounding the disaster.
Adding to the absurdity, Greene referenced older discussions around weather modification technologies, claiming they are evidence of government manipulation. She shared outdated clips from CBS dating back nearly a decade when scientists discussed theoretical applications of technology and air pressure to induce rainfall. Greene's misunderstanding of the scientific discussions highlighted her tendency to mix legitimate scientific discourse with wild conspiracy theories. A few days later, she even went so far as to suggest lasers could be involved, doubling down as her theories evolved.
Critics weren't shy to call out Greene's antics. Hill lawmakers joined the fray, with Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz commenting, “Enjoy your weekend campaigning everybody,” mocking her desperate bid for relevancy amid tragic circumstances. Shannon Watts, known for her activism against gun violence, joined the criticism by weaving another layer—her view on Greene’s words alluding to entrenched antisemitism often found within conspiracy theories. Watts stated: "Reminder: This is a conspiracy theory based on anti-Semitism," referring to the tropes often associated with Jewish control of various societal aspects. Greene’s conspiracy theory references drew shockwaves reminiscent of previous contentious commentaries relating to laser technology linked to climate issues.
Many public figures went on to remind Greene and her supporters of the real issues at hand. Ryan Maue, notable for his weather insights on social platforms, pulled the comic strip, noting, “I can assure you the Hurricane Helene weather modification theory is not one of them.”
Political contexts aside, the storm was wreaking real havoc. With thousands displaced, the focus needed to be on recovery efforts rather than grounding frivolous claims about weather manipulation. Criticism emerged from various quarters, including regular citizens on social media platforms calling Greene’s statements harmful. They pointed out it’s heavy political maneuvering at the expense of victims. An opinion piece highlighted this, emphasizing the need for political figures to refrain from exploiting disasters for social gain.
With Greene, unfortunately, this isn't the first time her critiques veiled conspiracy theories have garnered backlash. She had previously raised questions about the authenticity of tragic events and promoted other extreme theories, such as the idea of "Jewish space lasers" starting wildfires. This history of controversy positioned her as unsuitable for her role, as many believed her continued assertions threatened to undermine genuine relief efforts.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is still under recovery, and as FEMA and state agencies alongside local governments strive to facilitate aid, voices like Greene’s serve as frustrating reminders of the challenges posed by conspiracy theories infiltrated through politics. Even election processes were set to face turbulence as absentee ballots needed to be sent out amid power challenges, assuming politics distracted from the horizon where relief was necessary.
Senator Thom Tillis’ email to constituents also reflected the pervasive frustration with conspiracy theories. His message reminded folks of the horrific impact Hurricane Helene caused, reinforcing the notion the victims deserved sincere focus instead of propagandizing blame. Even sports figures like tennis star Martina Navratilova commented on Greene’s comments during her Twitter protests, saying the conspiracy was underlined by cowardice.
The way claims propagated by Greene, especially surrounding severe disasters, shows the power—and danger—of misinformation. Greene’s insistence on climate control skepticism does raise questions about how climate and disaster management will blend with politics as the nation moves to recover from both Hurricane Helene and the proverbial storm of fabricated narratives. Whenever the next storm arrives, communities certainly hope the discourse can focus on aiding recovery rather than igniting political falsehoods.
