“We’re seeing horrific hate speech of all types propagated on online platforms. That deplorable speech has an impact on people’s lives and it is also a motivating force for people to do harm. And it has got to stop,” Mayorkas told reporters at a White House press briefing.
Federal officials have had to combat misinformation spreading online as they work to respond to the two major storms, which hit swaths of the southeastern U.S. False claims began circulating in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene that devastated parts of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
Rep. Chuck Edwards (N.C.), a Republican who represents a district hit by Hurricane Helene, posted a press release Tuesday debunking eight “myths” about the storm response, including multiple claims shared by former President Trump.