Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke directly to Elon Musk on Friday on the billionaire's X platform, as part of an effort to counter false conspiracies about federal disaster aid for Hurricane Helen victims that Musk posted on X, where he has more than 200 million followers.
“No one is closing the airspace, and the FAA is not preventing legitimate recovery and recovery flights,” Buttigieg wrote. “If you have a problem call me.”
Buttigieg was responding to a post from Musk who falsely claimed that the Federal Aviation Administration was closing airspace in the disaster area and “choking” flights carrying supplies.
An FAA spokesperson told CNBC: “There are no airspace restrictions in North Carolina as rescue efforts continue due to Hurricane Helen. Pilots looking to come to Asheville or Rutherford airports must contact the airport to obtain permission to land. Working with Local authorities to ensure rescue efforts are carried out safely.”
Musk's false claim was one of several conspiracies Musk spread about federal emergency personnel this week, as tens of thousands of people turn to government agencies for disaster relief in states hit hard by Hurricane Helen.
“@FEMA is not only failing to provide adequate assistance to people in trouble, but actively preventing citizens who are trying to help!” Musk said in a clear text message within his social post.
A FEMA spokeswoman responded to Musk in a statement to CNBC: “Allegations of FEMA seizing or seizing goods, supplies or resources in North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state impacted by Hurricane Helen are false.” The Director of Public Affairs said. Jacqueline Rothenberg.
She noted that FEMA has deployed Starlinks before to help respond to disasters in places like Guam, Hawaii and Alaska. In storm-ravaged North Carolina, Starlink units support state and local governments, urban search and rescue efforts and disaster coordination efforts.
Musk has officially endorsed former Republican President Donald Trump, and has become a major donor to the Republican Party in recent years.
On Friday, Trump amplified Musk's false claims about the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration on Trump's own social media platform, Truth Social, where he posted them without comment to his nearly 8 million followers.
Musk's SpaceX and satellite internet service brand Starlink previously said they would send nearly 500 Starlink kits, donated by private individuals and organizations, to help in Helen's recovery efforts. They also provided free Starlink internet service to users for 30 days in areas devastated by Helen.
This was after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) previously announced that it would send SpaceX's Starlink stations to provide internet services to remote areas hit by the storm.
Musk often uses the X to provoke — but in criticizing FEMA on Friday, he escalated his battle with the US government.
He has previously threatened to sue the FAA, attacked the Environmental Protection Agency for punishing SpaceX, and criticized other federal agencies.
Musk's SpaceX company relies on federal agencies for billions of dollars in annual revenue, and automaker Tesla has benefited heavily from federal programs that have given the company a critical loan, tax breaks, subsidies and other incentives.
People who experienced loss or damage due to Tropical Storm Helen in select counties can apply for government assistance using the FEMA app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store, by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 1- 800-621-3362.
—NBC's Christian Santana contributed reporting
