Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is facing criticism for comments she made on social media regarding Hurricane Helene.
In a post shared with her 1.2 million followers late on Oct. 3, Greene wrote: “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”
Greene does not identify the “they” she refers to. Her comments have since sparked backlash online.
“Okay, but if ‘they’ control weather, then the next logical extreme is that humans caused climate change. She really didn’t think this talking point through,” one user commented.
“I need to add ‘consult with they’ while sitting at my desk analyzing weather data to formulate my forecast,” said FOX13 meteorologist Paul Dellegatto, in response to Greene’s post.
Greene’s comments come amid the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across the Southeastern United States, including in Greene’s home state of Georgia. Per the New York Times, as of Oct. 4, 11 people have died as a result of the storm and there are ongoing searches for those missing.
As Greene makes these comments, she and former President Donald Trump have publicly called out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the agency continues to receive requests for assistance. Both have pushed allegations that FEMA is utilizing funding to “support migrants” instead of disaster relief. FEMA called the accusations over funding being used for migrants “false.”
FEMA has set up a website to address the rumors circulating their Helene response, writing that misinformation and rumor can cause “confusion” and “prevent… people from getting the help they need.”
“Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other non-disaster related efforts,” the web page states. “The funding for communities to support migrants is appropriated by Congress to Customs and Border Patrol—it has nothing to do with FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.”
This is not the first time the far-right Republican has received backlash over her responses to natural disasters and events. In April, she commented on the 4.8 magnitude earthquake in the Northeast and the solar eclipse expected across North America that month, stating they were signs from God. After facing online criticism, she doubled down on her statements.
“God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent. Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come. I pray that our country listens,” Greene tweeted, after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in New Jersey rattled many in the area.
In response to Greene’s comments, many pointed to the scientific understanding and expectation that preceded the solar eclipse on April 8, as well as the data from the National Earthquake Information Center showing that around 55 earthquakes happen a day around the globe, resulting from the constant shifting between the earth’s tectonic plates on active or inactive faults.