Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service.
By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
Shame, shame on anyone using Hurricane Helene as a chance to score cheap political points.
It’s not just distasteful—it’s un-American.
Over the past few weeks, several pundits and politicians have tried to spin this disaster into a political weapon. Among the most egregious offenders are conservatives like Trump, Hannity, and Gingrich, who’ve falsely claimed that FEMA has abandoned the victims, that disaster relief funds have run dry, or worst of all, that the Biden administration diverted hurricane relief money to house illegal immigrants.
Let’s be clear: these are lies, designed to stoke anger and fuel division.
I live in a region that was impacted by Helene. Though I was fortunate enough to avoid personal loss, many of my neighbors, colleagues and local residents lost everything.
The storm devastated rural, low-income communities, where hard-working families have seen their entire lives swept away. The death toll is tragic, with more than 200 lives lost, and many more still missing. Now is the time for unity and compassion, not for political mudslinging.
Yet, what do we see from certain media outlets?
The absurd headline “Kamala’s Katrina” — as if Vice President Harris bears personal responsibility for the disaster. Let’s remind ourselves that in 2006, during Hurricane Katrina, it was George W. Bush in the White House, not Dick Cheney. Blaming Harris for this hurricane is as ludicrous as it is lazy. The focus should be on providing relief, not rewriting reality to score cheap political points.
Here are the facts.
First, FEMA is on the ground, actively working in the affected areas. Second, the National Guard has been deployed to assist where access allows. And third, FEMA is not out of money—Congress recently allocated $20 billion to hurricane recovery efforts. Moreover, no funds have been reallocated to “house illegal immigrants.” These narratives are not just false—they’re distractions from the real issue at hand: rebuilding lives and communities.
Leadership in a time of crisis is not about grandstanding in front of cameras or throwing out inflammatory rhetoric. It’s about uniting the country, showing compassion, and mobilizing resources.
True presidential leadership isn’t found on a disaster tour photo-op or in disingenuous social media posts. It’s in Washington, ensuring Congress is doing everything in its power to help. It’s about leading by example, not inciting further division by comparing domestic disaster relief to aid given to Ukraine or other global allies.
What Americans crave now, more than ever, is real leadership. Not the hollow theatrics of partisanship, but genuine, transparent and effective leadership. Instead of fueling division, our leaders should be doing joint press conferences, calling on the country to come together in support of Helene’s victims. We should see calls to action, not finger-pointing.
What’s especially disheartening is watching seasoned politicians, who’ve spent decades in power, fail to rise to this moment. If our senior leaders don’t know how to lead, what example does this set for the next generations—Millennials, Gen Z, and beyond? It only reinforces the toxic cycle of division and hatred that threatens to tear this country apart.
Yes, I’m angry. But as Valerie Garcia has described, this is “good anger.” This is the kind of anger that can drive positive change. We are better than this, America. We deserve leaders who put people before politics, who prioritize equity and relief over partisan gamesmanship.
So, as we move forward in the coming weeks and months, let’s focus on what really matters—helping the victims of Hurricane Helene. And at the same time, let’s reject the lies and political opportunism that seek to divide us.
We are one nation.
It’s time we demand a new era of moral leadership, one that brings us back together and reminds us of the values that truly make America great.
James Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized.
Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.
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