Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has come under fire for suggesting that a shadowy group can control the weather in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has claimed the lives of over two dozen people in her state and nearly 200 nationwide.
In a post on X late Thursday, the Georgia Republican stated, “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done,” without specifying who “they” might be.
Earlier that day, Greene shared a map highlighting political affiliations in counties most affected by the hurricane, hinting at a connection between politics and the disaster.
Her remarks drew swift ridicule from fellow lawmakers and social media users alike.
Former RNC Chair Michael Steele responded, “Yours is a special kind of stupid.”
One user sarcastically commented, “You could throw yourself on the ground, and miss,” while another added, “You are dumber than a bag of rocks.”
A different user quipped, “Who are ‘they’? Can I consult with ‘them’ before my next vacation? I am tired of getting rained out. If ‘they’ can help, that’d be great.”
Gun violence prevention advocate Shannon Watts criticized Greene’s claims, linking them to antisemitic conspiracy theories: “Reminder: This is a conspiracy theory based in anti-Semitism alleging that Jewish people have the technology to manipulate the weather and cause freak storms that wreak havoc on the world.”
Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz chimed in with, “Hakeem Jeffries should be the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Enjoy your weekend campaigning everybody.”
As Hurricane Helene continues to wreak havoc—resulting in at least 215 deaths since it made landfall in Florida last week, with 33 fatalities in Georgia and over 200,000 customers without power—officials are grappling with the storm’s impact. Carbon monoxide from generators has been cited as a cause of at least three deaths.
The storm is being recognized as the deadliest since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Georgia is facing estimated damages exceeding $417 million. Meanwhile, election workers are returning to their offices despite the extensive damage, working under tight deadlines to prepare for upcoming elections.
Greene’s latest comments are part of a pattern in which she spreads misinformation about elections and other conspiracy theories, including unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election. Her history of promoting false narratives includes allegations tied to antisemitism, such as claiming that a space laser controlled by a member of the Rothschild family caused a wildfire in California.
As misinformation spreads in the wake of Hurricane Helene, authorities are urging the public to be cautious about unverified claims.
