Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed for attending football game with Trump as her state ravaged by Hurricane Helene

‘Marjorie Taylor Greene officially gets the Ted ‘Cancun’ Cruz Award for abandoning her state during a crisis,’ one X user noted

Kelly Rissman
Monday 30 September 2024 11:51 EDT
Comments
Hurricane Helene: Police order residents to evacuate homes in Florida city

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has been slammed for travelling to attend a football game with Donald Trump while her home state of Georgia was ravaged by impacts of Hurricane Helene.

The Republican lawmaker shared a photo of her and Trump grinning with their thumbs up at the Georgia v Alabama college football game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Saturday.

“A MAN OF THE PEOPLE!!... Great to see President Trump tonight in Tuscaloosa! 100K strong to Make America Great Again!!!” she captioned the photo on X.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday before tearing across large parts of the south and east, causing at least 116 deaths and destroying homes and property. Damaging wind gusts swept through Georgia on Friday, leaving more than half a million without power, and led to downed trees and major flooding.

Marjorie Taylor Greene smiles beside Donald Trump at a Georgia v Alabama college football game. The congresswoman was slammed for enjoying a college football game while her state was devastated by Hurricane Helene
Marjorie Taylor Greene smiles beside Donald Trump at a Georgia v Alabama college football game. The congresswoman was slammed for enjoying a college football game while her state was devastated by Hurricane Helene (@mtgreenee)

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said that at least 25 people died in the state and the damage from Helene “looks like a bomb went off.”

Social media users lambasted Greene for enjoying a football game in another state while Georgia picked up the pieces.

“A hurricane hit Georgia and this was your priority?” one user said. Another wrote: “There have been many deaths in Georgia and you’re at a football game?”

“Immediately after a hurricane hit her state, (Georgia), Marjorie Taylor Greene showed her support by,... going to Alabama to watch a football game,” another remarked on X.

A man paddles a canoe to rescue residents and their belongings at a flooded apartment complex after Hurricane Helene hit Atlanta on Friday
A man paddles a canoe to rescue residents and their belongings at a flooded apartment complex after Hurricane Helene hit Atlanta on Friday (AP)

One person reposted the photo of Greene and Trump, tweeting: “Your disaster response left a lot to be desired.”

Some drew parallels to Texas senator Ted Cruz’s vacation to Cancun, Mexico while his state suffered under a devastating winter storm in early 2021.

“Marjorie Taylor Greene officially gets the Ted ‘Cancun’ Cruz Award for abandoning her state during a crisis. Way to go, MTG!” one user tweeted.

A view of storm damage at Chez What in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28 in Valdosta, Georgia
A view of storm damage at Chez What in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28 in Valdosta, Georgia (Getty Images)

Another wrote: “Marjorie Taylor Greene is the Ted Cruz of Georgia.”

On Sunday, Rep Greene posted a video of the flooding and destruction left in the hurricane’s path, writing on X: “Imagine walking through your town and seeing this. What if that was where you worked or your business? Pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Helene.”

One user responded: “Imagine walking through that while you were at an Alabama college football game.”

The Independent has contacted Rep. Greene’s office for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in