Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke on to Elon Musk Friday on the billionaire’s X platform, a part of an effort to counter false conspiracies about federal catastrophe support for victims of Hurricane Helene that Musk unfold on X, the place his follower depend stands over 200 million.
“Nobody is shutting down the airspace and FAA would not block official rescue and restoration flights,” wrote Buttigieg. “When you’re encountering an issue give me a name.”
Buttigieg was replying to a put up from Musk that falsely claimed the Federal Aviation Administration was shutting down airspace within the catastrophe zone and “throttling” flights transporting provides.
An FAA spokesperson instructed CNBC, “There are not any airspace restrictions in place in North Carolina as rescue efforts proceed due to Hurricane Helene. Pilots seeking to come into Asheville or Rutherford airports want to succeed in out to the airport for permission to land. The FAA is working with native authorities to make sure rescue efforts occur safely.”
Musk’s false declare was one among a number of conspiracies Musk has unfold about federal emergency personnel this week, as tens of 1000’s of individuals flip to authorities businesses for catastrophe reduction in states hard-hit by Helene.
“@FEMA will not be merely failing to adequately assist individuals in hassle, however is actively blocking residents who attempt to assist!” Musk mentioned in an obvious textual content message inside his social put up.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Administration Company responded to Musk in an announcement to CNBC: “The claims about FEMA confiscating or taking commodities, provides or sources in North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state impacted by Helene are false,” mentioned public affairs director Jaclyn Rothenberg.
FEMA has deployed Starlinks earlier than to help in catastrophe response in locations like Guam, Hawaii and Alaska, she famous. In storm-ravaged North Carolina, Starlink models are supporting state and native governments, city search and rescue and catastrophe coordination efforts.
Musk has formally endorsed Republican former President Donald Trump, and he has develop into a mega donor to the GOP lately.
On Friday, Trump amplified Musk’s false claims about FEMA and FAA on Trump’s personal social media platform, Reality Social, the place he posted them with out remark to his almost 8 million followers.
Musk’s SpaceX and its satellite tv for pc web service model Starlink, have beforehand mentioned that they’d ship roughly 500 Starlink kits, donated by non-public people and organizations, to assist with the Helene restoration efforts. In addition they made Starlink web service free for customers for 30 days in areas devastated by Helene.
This was after FEMA had beforehand introduced it was dispatching SpaceX’s Starlink terminals to carry web providers to distant areas hit by the storm.
Musk regularly makes use of X to impress — however in lashing out at FEMA on Friday, he escalated his battle with the U.S. authorities.
He has beforehand threatened to sue the Federal Aviation Administration, attacked the Environmental Safety Company for penalizing SpaceX, and lashed out at different federal businesses.
Musk’s SpaceX relies upon upon federal businesses for what quantities to billions of {dollars} in annual income, and his automaker Tesla has handsomely benefitted from federal packages that gave the corporate an important mortgage, tax breaks and different subsidies and incentives.
Individuals who have suffered loss or harm attributable to Tropical Storm Helene in designated counties, can apply for presidency help utilizing the FEMA app, which might be downloaded from the Apple Retailer or Google Play Retailer, by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
— NBC’s Cristian Santana contributed reporting
