FOX News correspondent Alexandria Hoff reported on former President Trump's visit to the Hurricane Helen area in Georgia in a “special report.”
Former President Trump said he spoke with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about deploying Starlink in the wake of Hurricane Helen.
On Monday, President Trump mentioned the people in some areas that were hit hard by the super hurricane and said, “I wanted to get Starlink connected because we can't have any contact with Starlink.'' We just talked,” he said.
He also reiterated in his comments Tuesday that he had discussed North Carolina implementing satellite-based internet service with Musk.
Former President Trump looks on during a rally at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, September 18, in Uniondale, New York. (Reuters/Brendan McDiarmid/Reuters)
“This was already happening,” White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates wrote on X on Monday afternoon, along with a FEMA press release.
Moody's says damage from Hurricane Helen could be up to $34 billion
As of Monday, 40 Starlink satellite systems were “available to assist responders with communications” in North Carolina, and another 140 were arriving for “communications infrastructure restoration,” according to the release. It's planned. We were also scheduled to receive an EOC for each county.
FOX Business has reached out to President Trump's press secretary for comment.
The number of Starlink satellite systems in North Carolina for responder communications has increased to 60 as of Tuesday, according to a separate FEMA press release.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: This photo illustration shows the Starlink system on September 13, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. United Airlines announced today that it has reached an agreement with Starlink and will soon offer free internet. (Photo illustration: Scott Olson/Getty Images/Getty Images)
A FEMA spokesperson told FOX Business that the agency ordered Starlink terminals over the weekend in response to Hurricane Helen, but that it had nothing to do with the former president.
“Since the Hurricane Helen disaster, SpaceX has been sending as many Starlink terminals as possible to help communities in need,” Musk said in an X-Post early Tuesday morning. “Earlier today, @realDonaldTrump alerted me to the growing number of people in North Carolina who need Starlink internet. We will be sending them devices right away.”
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
Later that day, the tech billionaire CEO said he was sending as many devices as “possible” to areas of the country affected by Hurricane Helen.
More than 500 of SpaceX's satellite-based Internet service kits are being deployed by “private individuals and organizations” to parts of the country affected by Hurricane Helen, according to a Starlink post Tuesday. “Has arrived or will arrive soon.''
ASHEVILLE, NC – SEPTEMBER 28: Storm damage near Biltmore Village from Hurricane Helen on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helen made landfall in Big Bend, Florida on Thursday night with strong winds. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Musk also said of Starlink's efforts: “We are making system updates to ensure that all Starlinks in affected areas can function regardless of payment.” “The software update should be completed tonight, or tomorrow at the latest.”
Airbnb owner says peak tourism months will likely be a 'wash-out' period for Western North Carolina
SpaceX has provided Starlink to respond to emergencies many times in the past, including during hurricane recovery.
Other examples where the company has provided Starlink access include Tonga after a volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022, Iran during protests in 2022, and Maui last year after deadly wildfires. .
Satellite-based Internet services are used in more than 100 countries.
