A recent poll reveals that more voters trust Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump to handle natural disaster responses effectively. This survey by Data for Progress shows Harris at 50 percent compared to Trump’s 46 percent among likely voters, specifically regarding “climate and extreme weather disasters.”
Conducted between October 11-13, shortly after Hurricane Milton hit Florida and following the impactful Hurricane Helene, the poll surveyed 1,206 likely voters with a margin of error of ±3 percent.
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These hurricanes have ignited discussions around disaster management as both candidates face scrutiny regarding their abilities to respond effectively. Early reports indicated that Harris’s campaign took a hit due to misinformation around federal disaster responses, much of it stemming from Trump and conservatives.
A study by Impact Social noted that 12 percent of negative online sentiments toward Harris were focused on her handling of Hurricane Helene, while only 7 percent of negative comments directed at Trump were related to his disaster response.
Trump has made claims suggesting that FEMA lacks funding for disaster relief due to financial resources being allocated to assist illegal immigrants. The White House has firmly denied this, stating that funds for migrant housing come from a separate program and not the disaster fund.
In a recent campaign event in North Carolina, Trump reiterated that FEMA “was not doing their job,” criticizing how funds were spent. He argued that they prioritized migrant support over assisting those impacted by Helene.
Interestingly, the Data for Progress survey indicates that a significant majority, 60 percent, view FEMA’s response to both Helene and Milton favorably. Furthermore, 51 percent of respondents advocate for increased funding for FEMA, while only 12 percent think funding should be cut.