JD Vance Backs Marjorie Taylor Greene Following Her Theory Suggesting Man-Made Hurricane Helene
By Jake Beardslee ·
October 5, 2024
Senator JD Vance recently praised Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, despite her controversial statement suggesting Hurricane Helene was artificially created.
The Republican from Ohio called Greene a "great friend" and "one hell of a Congresswoman" during a campaign rally in her district, just hours after she made a puzzling claim about weather control on social media. Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Greene, known for her embrace of conspiracy theories, posted on X: "Yes, they can control the weather. It's ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can't be done." mtgreenee / X
This statement followed her sharing of an image overlaying Hurricane Helene's impact areas with an electoral map, implying a potential Democratic plot against Republican voters. mtgreenee / X
Vance, seemingly unfazed by Greene's comments, lauded her at the rally. "We have got another great, strong, woman leader in Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene," he stated.
He went on to highlight their political relationship, saying, "Now you may not know this, but one of the very first endorsements … I got when I was running in the Republican Senate primary in Ohio a few years ago was from Marjorie Taylor Greene, so she's been a great friend of mine." Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The senator's praise for Greene comes at a time when many affected by Hurricane Helene are still grappling with the storm's aftermath. Nathan Fish, Nathan Fish / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The disaster's scope places Helene as the fourth-deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since 1950, following Katrina (2005), Audrey (1957), and Camille (1969). Nathan Fish, Nathan Fish / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The southern Appalachians bore the brunt of the storm's fury, with hundreds of roads washed out and bridges damaged, isolating many mountain communities.
As federal, state, and local authorities pushed deeper into affected areas, including Asheville's suburbs, they faced the daunting task of clearing roads and airlifting essential supplies. Kevin Lynch/The Daily Record / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Democrats were quick to criticize Vance's association with Greene.
DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd issued a statement calling Greene a "wildly out-of-touch conspiracy theorist and election-denying extremist who is as toxic to voters as the Trump-Vance Project 2025 agenda." @alexjfloyd / X
Floyd added, "JD Vance took time in Georgia today to shout out his 'great friend' right after she finished spreading fresh conspiracy theories about how 'they' can control the weather while Georgia is still recovering from Hurricane Helene." Megan Smith-USA TODAY
