The New York Times has yet to update its fact-check of President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deliberately avoided helping people in Republican areas, despite recent confirmation that a FEMA official was terminated for instructing crews to skip homes displaying pro-Trump signs.

On September 30, 2024, Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter), addressing the federal response to Hurricane Helene, which hit several states, including Georgia and North Carolina.

Trump’s post stated, “I was also going to stop into North Carolina, which has really been hit hard. I have a lot of supplies ready for them, but access and communication is now restricted… I don’t like the reports that I’m getting about the Federal Government, and the Democrat Governor of the State, going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas.”

We are now heading to Valdosta, Georgia, in order to pay my respects and bring lots of relief material, including fuel, equipment, water, and other things, to the State. Many politicians and Law Enforcement will be there. We’ll be saying hello to Franklin Graham, Burt Jones,…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2024

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Four days later, The New York Times released a fact-check on Trump’s statement, asserting that it “lacks evidence.”

The article cited support for FEMA’s response from multiple Republican governors, including Brian Kemp of Georgia, Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, and Henry McMaster of South Carolina, who publicly praised the federal response to the hurricane.

Kemp specifically noted that FEMA had been embedded in the state operations center before the storm, stating, “We got a great relationship with them.”

However, recent revelations reported by The Daily Wire have cast doubt on the Times fact-check. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed that Marn’i Washington, a FEMA official assigned to oversee disaster relief in Highlands County, Florida, instructed her crew in Placid Lake, Florida, to skip homes “advertising Trump.”

Whistleblowers say that relief workers were told it was “best practice” to pass over houses “advertising Trump.”

The workers would enter into the system that they made no contact with the residents, blaming the directive: “Trump sign, no contact per leadership” pic.twitter.com/1b0uL7pSDy

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) November 8, 2024

Following these reports, Washington was removed from her position, and Criswell confirmed that the actions were not in line with FEMA’s policies.

The Times has not updated or retracted its initial fact-check, despite this new information.

Fox News contributor Joe Concha highlighted the lack of an update, posting a screenshot of the Times headline on X with the comment: “No retraction coming correct?”

No retraction coming, correct? pic.twitter.com/DXs0r9sjS8

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) November 10, 2024

The incident has added fuel to criticisms of FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, especially among Trump supporters and Republican officials.

Trump’s comments on X were seen as reflective of a broader distrust in federal disaster management under the Biden-Harris administration, particularly in its support for areas with a strong Republican voter base.

According to The Daily Wire report, Washington’s actions led to immediate backlash after FEMA discovered the targeted omission of homes displaying political affiliations.

FEMA’s Criswell, under pressure to address the controversy, confirmed Washington’s dismissal and emphasized that the incident does not reflect FEMA’s commitment to unbiased assistance in disaster relief efforts.

The ongoing absence of an update from the Times has sparked debate about accountability in media fact-checking, especially in politically sensitive contexts.

Trump’s claim about FEMA’s response initially met with skepticism from mainstream media outlets, but recent developments have led to renewed scrutiny of FEMA’s operations and the extent to which political biases may have influenced some relief efforts.

Trump’s criticism of federal relief efforts and the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of hurricane aid comes as the President-elect continues to prioritize disaster management and support for Republican-led areas in his policy platform.