Buttigieg counters Musk claim of Fema blocking Starlink from hurricane relief | Elon Musk

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg dismissed Elon Musk's criticism of the government's response to Hurricane Helen relief efforts, accusing the SpaceX CEO of spreading misinformation.

Mr. Musk has accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) of blocking his satellite internet company, Starlink, from reaching parts of North Carolina that were destroyed by the hurricane, a claim that Mr. Musk and Mr. Buttigieg disputed. claimed to be incorrect.

“No one is closing airspace, and the FAA will not prevent lawful rescue or recovery flights. If you have a problem, please call me,” Buttigieg wrote. Musk said he had seen hundreds of such reports and would call him.

Musk had spent several hours Friday railing against Fema and X over what he called “belligerent government incompetence.” He posted a text he allegedly received from a “SpaceX engineer on the ground” in which he said federal agencies had cordoned off the affected areas and were blocking commercial helicopters from delivering Starlink terminals and other supplies connected to satellite internet services. accused of doing so.

“SpaceX engineers are currently trying to deliver Starlink terminals and supplies to devastated areas of North Carolina, but @FEMA is failing to help and won't let others help either,” Musk wrote. ” he wrote. This is disrespectful! ! ”

When asked for comment on Musk's claims, Fema issued a statement similar to Buttigieg's. “Claims that FEMA is confiscating or expropriating goods, supplies, or resources in North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state affected by Helen are false.

“FEMA has supported the delivery of Starlink terminals to North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation and state-determined critical lifeline locations. “We are assisting with disaster coordination. Starlink units are being deployed to multiple states to assist with Hurricane Helen response efforts,” said Jaclyn Rothenberg, Fema's Director of Public Affairs.

Still, Donald Trump amplified Musk's claims on his app, Truth Social. Musk said he would join the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Misinformation is swirling around the communications blackout caused by Hurricane Helen. Telephone and power lines were knocked out throughout the South. President Trump falsely accused Joe Biden of not calling Georgia Governor Brian Kemp after the storm when he called him.

Mr. Musk has a history of devoting himself to rescue efforts. In 2018, it offered to deliver a small submersible to Thailand to help rescue a youth soccer team by diving in the field in what was called a “PR stunt.” In response, Musk called the rescue manager a “pedo bastard” and filed a defamation lawsuit, which Musk later won.