‘Put Aside Hate and Pitch In’: GOP Mayor and Ex-Wrestler Kane Sets the Record Straight on Hurricane Aid Rumors

Photo by Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA

A Republican mayor representing a Tennessee area affected by Hurricane Helene implored social media users to stop spreading bogus rumors about storm aid.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs – more famously known as retired wrestler Kane from the WWE – rebutted a common right-wing talking point amid the aftermath of the storm, which killed more than 200 people. At least one of the deceased was from Knox County.

According to one rumor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been confiscating supplies, rejecting donations, and stopping aid vehicles. The false claim became so prominent, FEMA issued a statement rebutting it. Another allegation claims money is being redirected to immigrants.

Former President Donald Trump, far-right billionaire Elon Musk, and others alleged FEMA is unable to assist hurricane victims because the Biden administration gave the money to migrants. As Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post noted, not only is this fault, it was Trump who, as president, redirected $155 million in disaster funds to building detention spaces and hearing locations for asylum seekers – and “in the middle of hurricane season.”

Early Friday morning, Jacobs took to social media to dispel the rumors and asked people to help instead of posting misinformation.

“Two things,” Jacobs wrote. “1) To my knowledge, FEMA, TEMA, nor anyone else is confiscating supplies. Please quit spreading those rumors as they are counterproductive to response efforts. 2) If everyone could maybe please put aside the hate for a bit and pitch in to help, that would be great.”

Another false claim that has rocketed around right-wing media – including on Fox News – is that storm victims will receive no aid beyond a $750 direct deposit.