A viral image recently circulated on social media, claiming that former president Donald Trump donated a $1,300 check for hurricane relief after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The image, which surfaced on October 13, 2024, appeared to show a Fox News telecast of Trump holding a giant check, alongside a headline reading, “Trump Donating $1,300 for Hurricane Relief.” The supposed check, however, displayed the confusing label “Trump Manie Mar M AIFAL.”
The post quickly gained traction, with social media user @SarahBCalif on X (formerly Twitter) sharing the image and comparing Trump’s alleged donation to the more significant charitable efforts of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Ryan Reynolds. However, this image has been debunked as fake and most likely AI-generated, misleading many into believing the story.
Debunking the Viral Post
According to fact-checking website Snopes, the viral image originated from a Reddit post by user BobbyKristina in the subreddit EnoughTrumpSpam, where it was clearly marked as a parody. Despite the humorous intent, the image was soon shared as legitimate on other platforms, fueling further confusion. The image had all the hallmarks of digital manipulation, with a nonsensical label on the check and a Fox News graphic that was out of place.
Further confirming the false nature of the post, CBS19 reached out to Fox News for clarification. A spokesperson for the network confirmed that the image “did not air on Fox News” and was entirely fabricated. Senior BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh also took to social media to declare the image “AI-generated and fake,” ensuring the public that the story had no basis in reality.
Trump’s Actual Efforts for Hurricane Relief
While the viral image is fabricated, Donald Trump has been involved in relief efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but not in the way depicted. According to AP News, Trump and his campaign team turned to the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The fundraiser has reportedly collected over $14 million, with the majority of the funds already being distributed to those in need.
Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign, explained that using GoFundMe allowed supporters to directly contribute to the relief efforts. Hughes assured that none of the funds would be used for Trump’s campaign but would be dedicated entirely to helping hurricane victims. He also noted that over $6.5 million of the collected $7.7 million has already been distributed.
FEMA and Misinformation
In a separate but related controversy, Trump recently criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during a rally on October 5, 2024, for offering what he claimed was an insufficient $750 to hurricane victims. He expressed outrage that the U.S. sends “billions of dollars to foreign countries” while offering limited support to Americans who have lost their homes.
President Joe Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, quickly rebuked Trump’s remarks, calling them “irresponsible” and accusing him of spreading “misinformation.” According to NPR
In an October 10 press conference, Biden expressed frustration with Trump’s rhetoric, accusing him of making false claims to mislead the public. “They know it’s a lie to suggest that $750 is all these victims are going to get. It’s bizarre and un-American to talk about this in such a way,” Biden stated.
The claim that Donald Trump donated only $1,300 for hurricane relief, as shown in the viral image, has been thoroughly debunked. The image is AI-generated, and Fox News has confirmed that it never aired. While Trump has been involved in hurricane relief efforts through a GoFundMe campaign, the fabricated donation story is misleading and false. As always, it’s essential to verify information from credible sources before sharing it on social media.
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