Henderson County Sheriff Accuses TikTok Influencer of Spreading Helene Recovery Misinformation
BAT CAVE, N.C. – A contentious dispute has erupted between Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin and TikTok influencer David James Phillips (@AmericaIsRising) over the dissemination of information regarding Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Sheriff Griffin alleges that Phillips is leveraging the platform to spread misinformation and profit from the disaster, while Phillips vehemently denies these claims, accusing the sheriff of neglecting the affected communities.
The heart of the disagreement stems from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged Bat Cave and Chimney Rock in Henderson County. Following the storm, a group of West Virginia coal miners arrived to assist with recovery, temporarily restoring access between the two communities by cutting a road across private property. This action, however, led to the road’s subsequent closure by state officials, a move supported by the property owners who agreed to limited access for emergency vehicles. Sheriff Griffin contends that Phillips exploited this situation, portraying it as government negligence and FEMA obstructionism, all while profiting from his TikTok videos.
Sheriff Griffin, in a Facebook video, directly addressed Phillips, accusing him of having “ulterior motives” and never “lifting a hand” to help with recovery, instead focusing solely on creating misleading content. He claimed that Phillips’ videos falsely blamed FEMA for hindering access and aid, a claim the sheriff refuted, stating FEMA played no role in the road closure. He emphasized that the decision stemmed from protecting private property rights and that various federal, state, and local agencies, along with nonprofits, were actively providing aid to the affected communities.
Phillips, in response, fired back on TikTok, labeling the sheriff’s accusations as lies and asserting he’s made minimal profit from his videos. He challenged the sheriff’s knowledge of the situation, claiming to have conducted more thorough research while on the ground “freezing [his] [expletive] off, serving the community.” Phillips positioned himself as an advocate for the "abused, neglected, and forgotten about" residents, contrasting his efforts with the sheriff’s purported inaction.
This incident highlights a broader issue surrounding the spread of misinformation in the wake of natural disasters. State and local officials have repeatedly warned about the detrimental effects of false information circulating on social media, potentially discouraging disaster survivors from seeking legitimate aid. Governor Roy Cooper previously addressed this concern, urging people to stop spreading misinformation and highlighting the real harm inflicted on those in need of assistance. Similar incidents, such as a false report of an armed man threatening FEMA employees, have further disrupted recovery efforts.
The ongoing feud between Sheriff Griffin and Phillips underscores the tension between official narratives and citizen journalism in the digital age, particularly during crisis situations. While the sheriff maintains Phillips is exploiting the disaster for personal gain and spreading harmful falsehoods, Phillips portrays himself as a voice for the underserved, challenging the authorities’ version of events. The clashing narratives leave the public to discern the truth amidst the conflicting information. Meanwhile, the need for accurate and reliable information regarding disaster relief remains paramount for the communities struggling to rebuild. The case highlights the importance of verifying information from credible sources and the potential consequences of unchecked misinformation in times of crisis.
This expanded article provides more context, details, and quotes from both parties involved, creating a more comprehensive narrative of the situation. It also addresses the broader issue of misinformation in disaster recovery efforts and emphasizes the importance of relying on credible information sources. The inclusion of background information about the road closure and the involvement of the West Virginia coal miners adds further depth to the conflict. The concluding paragraphs reinforce the importance of accurate information during crises and highlight the challenges of discerning truth in the digital age.