Trump spins up lies with Iowa GOP help

So, Hurricane Donald made landfall last week, spawning a destructive surge of lies across multiple southeastern states. And, of course, some top Iowa Republicans did what they could to sandbag the facts on Donald Trump’s behalf.

The Republican presidential nominee spent much of last week tossing misinformation in areas hammered by Hurricane Helene like so many rolls of paper towels.

Trump opened the week claiming Georgia’s governor couldn’t get President Biden on the phone. Gov. Brian Kemp said it wasn’t true.

Next, Trump claimed the federal government and North Carolina’s Democratic governor denied aid to “Republican areas.” But Republican governors praised the federal response to the storm and massive flooding.

“I’m incredibly appreciative of the rapid response and the cooperation from the federal team at FEMA,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters.

Trump claimed total federal aid for affected residents is $750. But that’s just an initial payment to help people buy basics. More aid is coming. He insisted there were no rescue helicopters in North Carolina. But the North Carolina National Guard begged to differ after flying dozens of missions.

Trump tried to tie it all to illegal immigration.

Trump said $1 billion was stolen from FEMA to help migrants. There is no evidence to back up the claim.

“Kamala spent all her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal migrants, many of whom should not be in our country,” Trump said in Michigan last Thursday.

Multiple news outlets reported no disaster funds have been diverted. There are separate programs, approved by Congress, that pay for housing migrants. One helps local governments cover costs. But that money and disaster relief are not related. And clearly, no money has been “stolen.”

But Members of Congress from Iowa piled on.

At a fundraiser for Gov. Kim Reynolds last weekend, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks repeated the lie about “almost $1 billion for illegals.”

In a post on X, Rep. Ashley Hinson said she tried to sound the alarm on FEMA helping illegal immigrants instead of American citizens. “Not a dime of taxpayer dollars should go toward bailing out sanctuary cities or supporting illegals in our country. FEMA must be singularly focused on helping Americans,” Hinson wrote.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris gave over $640 million in disaster relief to illegal immigrants but are coming up short for Americans in need. We need to bring some Iowa common sense to Washington and start putting American citizens first,” Sen. Joni Ernst said on X.

You’d think members of Congress representing a state that has seen more than its share of disasters would know better.

While Trump was president in 2019, he diverted $155 million from FEMA relief funds to detain and transport undocumented immigrants. Ironic.

FEMA isn’t out of money. In September Congress provided $20 billion for disaster relief. That’s enough for Helene and Hurricane Milton. House GOP leadership is refusing to return to the Capitol to provide more aid.

It’s all fun and games until people believe this stuff and don’t seek help. Or when FEMA staff start receiving threats. Where will Hurricane Donald strike next?

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette. com