Helene conspiracies about lithium, weather control spread online [Video]

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, false rumors about the federal response have spread rapidly on social media. More extreme conspiracy theories have also taken root, including claims that politicians manipulated the weather to target Republican areas and that the government is trying to seize land in North Carolina to mine lithium.

The false claims have been amplified by high-profile politicians and social media influencers with large followings. Despite gaining millions of views online, these claims have been debunked by officials and experts, who stress that the government response remains focused on recovery efforts in the hardest-hit regions. Here are two fact checks about the main claims.

False claim: The government is seizing land in a North Carolina town to allow lithium mining

False claims that authorities are trying to seize Chimney Rock, North Carolina, to commandeer a lithium mine have spread on social media platforms like X, TikTok and Facebook.

Some of the rumorscite an alleged “town meeting” where …