Congresswoman Faces Backlash for Weather Control Conspiracy Claims

Controversial comments from a far-right congresswoman have sparked widespread criticism amid the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The congresswoman, Marjorie Taylor Greene, suggested in a social media post to her 1.2 million followers on X that the United States government has the ability to control the weather. Her exact words were, “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.” However, Greene did not clarify whom she was referring to as “they.”

Greene has a history of promoting conspiracy theories related to the federal government and other entities. On Saturday, she seemingly reinforced her statements by sharing a 2013 CBS News broadcast video about experimental weather control, involving the use of lasers to induce rain and lightning. Embarrassingly, she mistakenly cited the year of the broadcast.

The congresswoman’s comments received a backlash not only from critics of misinformation but also from high-ranking officials who are actively involved in disaster relief efforts. Deanne Criswell, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), decried the false claims surrounding Helene and the response efforts. “It’s frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people,” Criswell stated, emphasizing that such claims only hinder the help being provided to those in need.

Shawn Harris, who is challenging Greene’s congressional seat, also condemned her comments. He accused Greene of using conspiracy theories to divert attention away from her unsuccessful attempts to block essential funding for FEMA just as Hurricane Helene was making landfall.

The scientific community, including meteorologist and internet personality Ryan Maue, weighed in to debunk Greene’s assertions. Maue stated, “I can assure you that the weather modification theory is not one of them,” indicating his skepticism towards the notion of governmental weather control.

Political figures, such as Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, criticized conspiracy narratives without directly naming Greene. He noted that communities affected by Helene need robust relief efforts, not political gamesmanship or baseless theories that derail recovery efforts.

The Charlotte Observer‘s editorial board penned an opinion piece condemning former President Trump for his misleading statements about the government’s response to Helene, stressing that such areas should not become “a political football” or “a campaign opportunity.”

Even the sporting arena saw reactions, with tennis legend Martina Navratilova using her voice to call out Greene and Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, for endorsing Greene’s views. Navratilova criticized both on social media, calling Greene “stupid” and Vance “a cowardly sycophant.”

Amidst the uproar, Greene attended a University of Alabama football game with Trump on September 28, despite Hurricane Helene ravaging her home state of Georgia. This drew additional criticism of her actions during a time when her constituents were facing severe hardships.