Unexpected Partnership to Aid Disaster-Stricken Southern States

Person speaking into a microphone, gesturing with hand.

Trump and Elon Musk unite forces to bring Starlink to hurricane-hit regions in Georgia and North Carolina, aiming to restore essential communication services.

At a Glance

Former President Trump spoke with Elon Musk about providing Starlink internet service for those without power due to Hurricane Helene.
Trump toured storm damage in Valdosta, Georgia, and expressed support for affected families.
Trump plans to visit North Carolina, another severely impacted area.
FEMA has made 40 Starlink satellite systems available for first responders and is shipping 140 more.
Millions remain without power and hundreds of fatalities have been reported across several states.

Trump and Musk Collaborate to Bring Starlink Internet

In a recent announcement in Valdosta, Georgia, former President Donald Trump revealed his collaboration with Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, to deploy Starlink in regions devastated by Hurricane Helene. This powerful Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Florida and caused catastrophic damage and communication breakdowns in Georgia and North Carolina. Millions are currently without power, and the death toll continues to rise.

Speaking in Valdosta, Trump highlighted the plight of families displaced by the flooding and emphasized the importance of reestablishing communication services. He affirmed that he recently spoke with Musk to expedite the deployment of Starlink’s satellite internet to these hurricane-stricken territories. “I just spoke to Elon … we want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever. Elon will always come through. We know that,” said Trump.

Donald Trump says he’s spoken to Elon Musk about getting Starlink for areas damaged by Hurricane Helene https://t.co/HD2QsKIGvV

— The Hill (@thehill) September 30, 2024

Immediate Relief Efforts and Future Plans

Trump’s visit to Georgia allowed him to witness first-hand the destruction caused by the hurricane. Touring the storm damage areas, he expressed his condolences and pledged ongoing support for the affected communities. “To every family that’s been displaced here in Georgia and in North Carolina, which has really been hit. We’re going there also. They don’t have communication, they don’t have anything right now,” Trump said.

“To every family that’s been displaced here in Georgia and in North Carolina, which has really been hit. We’re going there also. They don’t have communication, they don’t have anything right now,” Trump said.

Trump plans to extend his support to North Carolina, which also suffered extensive damage and loss of life. FEMA has already dispatched 40 Starlink satellite systems to aid first responders. Further, an additional 140 satellites are being shipped to help restore communication infrastructure. Vice President Harris has returned to Washington for a storm briefing and intends to assess the damage, while President Biden has been coordinating with state and local officials and mobilizing federal aid.

“I just spoke to Elon Musk. We want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever.”

“Elon will always come through. We know that.” – Donald Trump https://t.co/nq89SW5AzG

— Gail Alfar (@GailAlfarATX) October 1, 2024

Starlink’s Role in Recovery

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, created under Elon Musk’s leadership, is set to play a critical role in the recovery efforts. The Starlink system will provide much-needed internet connectivity in regions where conventional communication networks are entirely down. The federal government’s decision to send Starlink satellites to these areas underscores the essential role of satellite internet in emergency response and recovery.

“I just spoke to Elon … we want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever. Elon will always come through. We know that,” Trump added. “We’re working on that getting them hooked up. We’re going to try and get the Starlink in there as soon as possible.”

While Trump emphasized his role in driving this initiative, the White House clarified that the federal government had already been in the process of deploying Starlink satellite systems to the affected areas. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell had made the decision to send these satellites prior to Trump’s engagement with Musk.

Donald Trump says he’s spoken to Elon Musk about getting Starlink for areas damaged by Hurricane Helene https://t.co/HD2QsKIGvV

— The Hill (@thehill) September 30, 2024