The White House has launched a Reddit account to provide information on Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The account — user name u/whitehouse — went live this afternoon, including a photo of President Biden receiving a briefing on the situation, and an update on federal disaster assistance resources.
The social media account also is being started as the White House tries to counter misinformation that has spread in the wake of Hurricane Helene, with former President Donald Trump making false claims that FEMA lacks resources for its disaster response because they have been directed to the border.
According to the White House, the Reddit account “will include sharing information on state-based sub-Reddits, as well engaging existing threads regarding hurricane response and preparedness.” The administration “will also ensure our information is shared on larger sub-Reddits like r/politics, where we can correct misinformation and clarify the work that has been done by federal agencies in coordination with state and local entities.”
The new account reflects the rise of Reddit as an information source and a virtual town square.
