On Monday (September 30), former President Donald Trump announced his collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk to provide Starlink satellite terminals to areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
The partnership comes despite the fact that the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are already working on similar efforts to restore internet access in the impacted regions.
Trump Talks Starlink Aid with Musk to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery
During a public event in Valdosta, Georgia, Trump shared that he had just spoken with Musk after attendees asked about connecting to Starlink. Starlink is a satellite internet service that uses a network of 6,000 satellites to provide mobile broadband internet.
At the same time, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall confirmed that FEMA planned to install 30 Starlink receivers in North Carolina that very day, according to The Daily Beast.
In the early hours of Tuesday (October 1), Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to confirm that Trump had informed him about additional communities in North Carolina that needed internet support.
"We are sending them terminals right away," Musk said.
Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against him in the upcoming election, have been working to show their leadership in handling the crisis caused by Hurricane Helene.
The states of Georgia and North Carolina are crucial in the presidential race, and both candidates are trying to demonstrate that they can effectively manage recovery efforts.
While Trump is seeking to deliver satellite-based internet terminals to the affected areas, Musk has been critical of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FCC previously denied SpaceX's request for $885 million in federal funding that was intended to help bring Starlink terminals to rural communities. Musk argues that this decision has worsened the situation for those without internet access.
Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage, leading to flooding and power outages that disrupted cell phone and internet services in many areas. The restoration of these services could take weeks or even months, making the need for Starlink terminals even greater.
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Elon Musk Condemns FCC for Denying Starlink Funding
Last year, the FCC expressed concerns that SpaceX might not be able to help the hundreds of thousands of Americans in need of funding. They claimed that Starlink's proposal included incorrect information, suggesting coverage for cities that already had good internet service.
Additionally, the FCC was worried about the ongoing $600 cost for Starlink satellites, even after subsidies were applied, said Daily Dot.
The storm has claimed at least 130 lives across six states, drawing attention to the urgent need for reliable communication in the aftermath. Supporters of Musk have pointed out the FCC's decision to deny funding for Starlink, arguing that it has made it more difficult for people to get the help they need.
Musk himself responded to criticism by calling the FCC's decision "Contemptible political lawfare."
In response to the situation, Andrew Bates, the Senior Deputy Press Secretary at the White House, stated that the federal government is currently distributing Starlink terminals obtained from Musk.
Some people have criticized the government for this move, suggesting it is hypocritical to distribute Starlink terminals after previously denying Musk subsidies. However, FEMA is actively working to use these terminals to provide immediate internet access to those in need.
Musk also mentioned that Trump had pointed out specific communities that had not yet received assistance from the federal government.
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