How Hurricane Conspiracy Theories Took Over Social Media .

The rise of misinformation around consecutive hurricanes in the U.S. has been fueled by social media platforms that prioritize engagement over truth.

The speed and scale of rumors about Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have been unlike anything I’ve seen in previous online frenzies. Viral posts have varied from questions about the accuracy of forecasts and rescue efforts to outright false claims—like Donald Trump's suggestion that hurricane relief funds were diverted to undocumented migrants.

Some posts shared fake images of storm damage, including AI-generated pictures of children fleeing destruction or recycled footage of unrelated storms. Other posts promoted baseless conspiracy theories about government weather manipulation, known as “geo-engineering.”

“Yes, they can control the weather,” tweeted Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on X (formerly Twitter) last week.

False Claims and Social Media Platforms

Most viral misinformation has come from blue-ticked accounts with histories of spreading conspiracy theories. Many of the profiles amplifying misinformation about Hurricane Milton had previously shared claims that other major events, from elections to pandemics, were "rigged" or staged.

I reached out to several accounts spreading false claims about the hurricanes. Many of these profiles gained traction after X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, allowed users to buy blue ticks. Unlike the earlier verification system, where users were vetted, anyone can now purchase a blue tick and gain increased visibility in the platform's algorithm. These accounts can also profit from the engagement their posts generate—regardless of accuracy.

X’s revenue-sharing system allows blue-tick users to earn from the ads shown in their replies. Recently, X increased these payouts, rewarding posts that attract attention from other premium members. This incentivizes the spread of sensational, and often false, content.

While platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook have policies that allow them to de-monetize or suspend accounts sharing misinformation, X has more lenient guidelines. Though the platform has rules against AI-faked content and uses "Community Notes" to add context to posts, it removed a previous feature allowing users to report misleading information. X did not respond to requests for comment.

Misleading posts from X often spill over into comment sections on other platforms, creating an interconnected ecosystem for the spread of conspiracy theories.

The Real-World Impact

One notable figure fueling these narratives is "Wild Mother," a social media influencer known for promoting unproven theories. Reflecting on her past experiences, she noted that, four years ago, her conspiracy posts were met with skepticism and criticism. Today, she says the majority of comments are in agreement with her views, particularly on topics like geo-engineering and hurricane manipulation.

This shift in online discourse has real-world consequences. Disinformation can erode trust in authorities, particularly during complex disaster recovery operations like those following Hurricane Milton.

While misinformation during natural disasters isn’t new, the scale is unprecedented. According to the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, fewer than three dozen false or abusive posts about the hurricanes garnered 160 million views on X.

These conspiracy theories have also taken on a sharper political edge, especially with the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Many viral posts originate from accounts supporting Donald Trump, targeting foreign aid, migrants, and even relief workers—accusing them of treason for supposedly participating in fictitious plots.

The distrust and anger this disinformation fosters can undermine disaster relief efforts and faith in government systems, overshadowing legitimate criticisms of the authorities' response.

Although conspiracy theorists like Wild Mother frame this as evidence that more people are "waking up," I see it as a sign that these baseless claims are reaching a wider audience. As algorithms prioritize engagement, conspiracy theories, falsehoods, and even hate can spread rapidly—rewarding those who share them with views, likes, followers, or even money before their accuracy is challenged.

To hear more of Marianna Spring’s analysis, listen to Americast on BBC Sounds, or her investigation into social media’s impact on the U.S. election in BBC Radio 4’s "Why Do You Hate Me, USA?"