US Politics Election Extra: Hurricane Disinformation & Disingenuous Politics
Table of Contents 📖
"When you're getting called out by Laura Ingraham for peddling a lie, then you probably need to watch it."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:20⏩
Jonathan welcomes viewers to an "extra" update about the US election, noting there's a lot to cover - polls, Republican and Democrat strategies, and more. He acknowledges the volume of information and plans to focus on two key issues.
Return to top⤴️
Tightening Polls and Election Uncertainty
🎦 00:20-04:26⏩
Jonathan provides an overview of the tightening polls, with conflicting narratives emerging from various sources:
- Republicans claiming Democrats are panicking, countered by some Democrats (like Michael Moore) expressing confidence in Kamala Harris' ability to secure female votes.
- Data from Pennsylvania and early voting suggests strong Democrat mobilization.
- Conflicting on-the-ground reports on mobilization efforts, with Jasmine Crocker indicating a significant advantage for grassroots movements over Democrats and Republicans.
- Betting markets favouring Trump, with some arguing the current margins mirror those of previous elections which Trump won.
- Counterarguments based on special elections since Roe v. Wade and the 2022 midterms suggest a potential Democrat advantage.
- Speculation about a surge in young voters not captured in polls.
- Polls indicating a 9% Republican voter leakage to Democrats, versus a 3% leakage from Democrats to Republicans.
Jonathan emphasizes the closeness of the race, highlighting the potential for even slight shifts in margins to lead to a comfortable victory for either side due to the US electoral system. He notes the possibility of one candidate securing a decisive win despite the current tight polls.
Return to top⤴️
October Surprises and Campaigning
🎦 03:00-04:26⏩
Jonathan doubts that recent "October surprises", like revelations about Trump and Putin, will significantly influence the election outcome. He believes there's still time for campaign efforts to have an impact, citing Obama and Bill Clinton's upcoming campaign trail appearances. However, he raises concerns about the effectiveness of campaigning in reaching voters outside existing political bubbles, particularly those relying on biased news sources like Fox News. Jonathan suggests both parties need to adopt multi-modal approaches to engage voters across various platforms, including niche and popular online spaces. He criticizes mainstream media for lamenting candidates' lack of traditional interviews while ignoring their presence in these alternative spaces.
Return to top⤴️
Hurricane Disinformation and its Real-World Dangers
🎦 04:26-06:44⏩
- Jonathan shifts focus to the recent hurricanes and the surge in disinformation surrounding them. He criticizes the spread of lies about FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and disaster response teams, emphasizing the real-world harm such misinformation causes.
- Citing a tweet by Karen Pipe, he highlights the threats FEMA workers face due to these lies.
Elon Musk's Role in Spreading Disinformation
🎦 05:04-06:26⏩
- Jonathan calls out Elon Musk for amplifying a false claim from a SpaceX engineer that FEMA is blocking aid and seizing goods in Asheville, North Carolina.
- He argues this irresponsible sharing of hearsay could incite violence, referencing responses to Musk's tweet that call for militia activation against "fascists". Jonathan points to Laura Loomer as another figure promoting militias and spreading dangerous conspiracy theories during a time of crisis.
Disinformation About FEMA Funding
🎦 06:47-07:50⏩
- Jonathan addresses the false claims about the $750 emergency funding provided by FEMA, explaining that this is a federally mandated amount for immediate individual needs.
- He debunks the claim that this money is being diverted from hurricane relief to support immigrants, highlighting it as a deliberate attempt to distort the truth.
- Jonathan criticizes Republicans for opposing increased FEMA funding and then complaining about insufficient aid, displaying their hypocrisy.
Republicans Voting Against FEMA Funding
🎦 07:50-08:27⏩
- Jonathan presents evidence of Republican senators, including Josh Hawley, Rick Scott, Ted Cruz, and Marsha Blackburn, voting against FEMA funding before Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He criticizes their current complaints about FEMA's lack of resources given their role in restricting funding.
Return to top⤴️
Kamala Harris Addresses Hurricane Disinformation
🎦 08:27-10:13⏩
- Jonathan mentions Kamala Harris' recent discussion on hurricane disinformation during a town hall, specifically addressing Alina Habba's (Trump's lawyer) false claims about "babies floating in the water".
- He points out the disingenuousness of these statements, emphasizing the real need for help and resources in affected areas.
Fox News Calls Out Alina Habba
🎦 10:13-10:29⏩
- Jonathan highlights a Fox News segment where Alina Habba's claims about "dead babies floating in the water" are challenged.
- He points out the double standard applied to the administration's response, regardless of their actions - being criticized for both a perceived lack of action and for engaging in activities deemed inappropriate during a crisis.
Trump's History of Withholding Disaster Relief
🎦 10:29-11:37⏩
- Jonathan contrasts the current administration's response with Trump's history of withholding disaster relief, citing his inadequate aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, California during the wildfires, and North Carolina during Hurricane Matthew. He questions Alina Habba's silence and lack of criticism during these instances.
Return to top⤴️
Campaign Ad Using Trump Staffer Testimony
🎦 11:47-12:50⏩
- Jonathan plays a campaign ad featuring testimonies from former Trump administration staffers who criticize his lack of empathy and willingness to withhold disaster relief based on political affiliations. The ad emphasizes the importance of a president who prioritizes the safety and security of all Americans, regardless of their political stance.
Return to top⤴️
Republican Politicians Contradict Trump's Claims
🎦 12:58-14:25⏩
- Jonathan presents a montage of Republican politicians, including governors and senators, contradicting Trump's claims by stating they are receiving adequate support and assistance from the federal government in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Return to top⤴️
Mike Johnson (Republican) Acknowledges Disinformation Campaign
🎦 14:25-15:33⏩
- Jonathan plays a clip of Mike Johnson, the Republican House Majority Leader, acknowledging the pushback from federal agencies regarding Republicans spreading misinformation about FEMA funding.
- The clip includes a statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who calls out the false claims about FEMA funds being used for migrants.
- It also features a statement from FEMA itself, emphasizing that disaster relief funds are separate from other non-disaster-related efforts.
Republican Congressman Admits to Separate Funding Streams
🎦 15:33-17:11⏩
- Jonathan highlights a clip where a Republican congressman, when pressed, admits that funding for disaster relief and immigration are separate, debunking the claim that FEMA funds are being misused.
- He points out the absurdity of accusing the Biden administration of actions taken by the Trump administration in 2019, specifically diverting disaster relief funds to address the situation at the border.
- Jonathan highlights Jessica Toller's accurate assertion that Trump was the one who moved money away from disaster relief.
Chuck Edwards (Republican) Debunks Hurricane Helene Conspiracy Theories
🎦 17:11-19:35⏩
- Jonathan discusses Chuck Edwards, a Republican representative from North Carolina, who issued a letter debunking conspiracy theories circulating about Hurricane Helene.
- He highlights the increasingly outlandish theories, such as claims by Marjorie Taylor Greene and others (including Trump supporters) that Democrats are manipulating the weather for their own benefit.
- Jonathan reads excerpts from Edwards' letter, addressing these baseless claims point by point:
- Claim: Hurricane Helene was geoengineered to access lithium deposits in Chimney Rock.
- Fact: No one can control the weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirms that the technology to geoengineer a hurricane does not exist.
- Claim: The government is seizing Chimney Rock.
- Fact: Local officials confirm there have been no meetings about seizing the town.
- Claim: Local officials are abandoning search and rescue efforts.
- Fact: This is untrue.
- Claim: FEMA is confiscating supplies and turning away donations.
- Fact: FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or manage road closures. Those are handled by local law enforcement.
- Claim: FEMA is diverting funds to the border or foreign aid.
- Fact: Disaster relief and individual assistance are funded through a dedicated Disaster Relief Fund.
First Responder Testimony Praises FEMA's Swift Response
🎦 20:29-22:12⏩
- Jonathan plays a clip of Kirby Saunders, Orange County Emergency Management Director, who has extensive experience responding to hurricanes, including Katrina, Florence, and Harvey.
- Saunders states that FEMA's response to Hurricane Helene has been the fastest he's ever witnessed.
- He expresses disappointment and hurt over the disinformation campaign, emphasizing its negative impact on survivors seeking help and resources.
Republican Senator Tom Tillis Praises Response Efforts, Criticizes Critics
🎦 22:20-24:50⏩
- Jonathan plays a clip of Republican Senator Tom Tillis praising the hurricane response efforts, directly contradicting Trump's claims.
- Tillis, with 30 years of experience in North Carolina, highlights the unique challenges posed by the storm's impact on the region.
- He defends the response efforts, stating that government agencies are working diligently and collaboratively. He challenges those criticizing the response to "get on the ground" and witness the efforts firsthand.
- Jonathan emphasizes the stark contrast between Tillis's on-the-ground perspective and the unfounded criticisms from Trump and Elon Musk.
North Carolina's Adjutant General Thanks All Involved in Response
🎦 25:02-25:48⏩
- Jonathan plays a clip of North Carolina's Adjutant General expressing gratitude for the collaborative efforts of communities, citizens, private partners, volunteers, and local, state, and federal governments in responding to the hurricane's devastation.
Return to top⤴️
Susan Collins (Republican) Slams Trump for FEMA Funding Lies
🎦 25:48-27:03⏩
- Jonathan mentions that Republican Senator Susan Collins criticized Trump for his lies about FEMA cutting funds for illegal immigrants.
- He plays a clip of Trump making these false claims, stating that the Biden administration "stole the FEMA money" to support illegal migrants.
- Jonathan emphasizes the seriousness of Trump's lies and questions the judgment of those who would consider electing someone who consistently makes false statements.
- A fact-check from CNN confirms that FEMA did not use disaster funds to shelter migrants, highlighting that these are separate programs funded by Congress.
Trump's Hypocrisy: Diverting Disaster Relief Funds in 2019
🎦 27:03-27:39⏩
- Jonathan points out the hypocrisy of Trump's accusations, highlighting that his own administration pulled $155 million from disaster relief funds in 2019 to fund migrant holding facilities.
- He criticizes Trump for projecting his own actions onto the Biden administration.
Elon Musk's Support for Trump and Election Interference
🎦 29:13-31:27⏩
- Jonathan discusses a New York Times article revealing Elon Musk's financial and logistical support for Trump's election campaign:
- Spending $140-$188 million on a Trump Super PAC (political action committee) that now uses the Twitter handle "@America".
- Coordinating with the Trump campaign to suppress links to leaked campaign documents that were damaging to JD Vance, a Trump-supported candidate.
- Rallying other billionaires to support Trump.
- Jonathan expresses concern about Musk's motives and the implications of his actions, especially given his history of spreading disinformation about the hurricane relief efforts.
- He labels Musk's actions as potential election interference, given his significant influence and the platform he controls.
- Return to top
- ⤴️
Musk's Broken Promises, Russian Bots, and Disinformation
🎦 31:27-34:41⏩
- Jonathan continues his criticism of Musk, accusing him of using Twitter to spread falsehoods that complicate disaster relief efforts, citing a Politico article that supports this claim.
- He mentions a report from Agence France-Presse about pro-Russian bot accounts spreading US election misinformation and amplifying false narratives about Kamala Harris.
- Jonathan points out Musk's broken promise to eliminate bots from Twitter, reminding viewers that Musk had vowed to "defeat the spam bots or die trying".
- He argues that Musk is allowing Russian bots to proliferate on Twitter to benefit Trump, suggesting that Putin sees a Trump victory as advantageous to his own interests, particularly regarding Ukraine.
- Jonathan highlights the danger of these bot accounts spreading disinformation about the hurricane relief efforts to sow discord and undermine the Biden administration.
- He concludes that Musk is complicit in allowing his platform to be manipulated by foreign actors.
Fox News Criticized for "Sane Washing" Trump
🎦 34:41-37:28⏩
- Jonathan criticizes Fox News for failing to call out Trump's disinformation campaign. He argues that while Fox News occasionally corrects minor inaccuracies, they often engage in "sane washing" - presenting Trump's words in a more reasonable light rather than addressing his outright lies.
- He cites an example of Fox News cutting away from a Trump speech in Detroit after he makes false claims about hurricane disaster relief. Instead of addressing the lies, Fox News characterizes the speech as "wide-ranging".
- Jonathan analyzes the body language of a Fox News anchor, suggesting that she is aware of the absurdity of Trump's statements but chooses to present them in a neutral manner.
- He argues that this failure to challenge disinformation makes Fox News complicit in its spread.
The Absurdity of Weather Control Conspiracy Theories
🎦 37:28-46:05⏩
- Jonathan plays a clip of a Trump supporter claiming that the government (specifically Democrats) manipulated Hurricane Helene to target Republican-leaning areas.
- He expresses disbelief at the woman's claims, struggling to find words to address the sheer absurdity of the conspiracy theory.
- Jonathan draws parallels between this and his past experiences debating young earth creationists, noting that some beliefs are so deeply ingrained and driven by motivated reasoning that rational arguments have little impact.
- He explains motivated reasoning as a way of thinking where the desired conclusion dictates the reasoning process, often influenced by factors like mortality salience and terror management theory.
- Jonathan argues that engaging in debate with individuals holding such deeply entrenched beliefs is often futile, as they are unwilling to consider evidence that challenges their worldview.
- He applies this to the woman in the clip, suggesting that she is so committed to her beliefs, likely fueled by a desire to support Trump, that no amount of evidence will change her mind.
- Jonathan concludes that some people are simply too far gone and impervious to rational arguments. He highlights the futility of attempting to debate with individuals who exist in a different reality.
Wrap up
🎦 46:05-46:29⏩
- Jonathan expresses his frustration with the amount of disinformation surrounding the hurricanes. He criticizes Elon Musk's role in exacerbating the problem and Fox News's failure to effectively counter it. He believes that Musk has a lot to answer for. He thanks his viewers and signs off.
Return to top⤴️
