Trump Falsely Claims Cuba Avoids Hurricanes

Meteorologist says the president's weather claims about the island nation are baffling and likely due to 'the Sharpie in his brain'.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:04am

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President Donald Trump recently told reporters that Cuba is not in a hurricane zone and won't be asking the U.S. for money for hurricanes, despite the fact that his own administration had provided $3 million in disaster relief to the island just two months earlier after Hurricane Melissa slammed the country. Certified Broadcast and Consulting Meteorologist John Morales attributed Trump's baffling weather claims about Cuba to 'the Sharpie in his brain', referring to the president's history of altering official weather maps.

Why it matters

Trump's false claims about Cuba's hurricane-free weather contradict his own administration's actions and undermine the credibility of the U.S. government's disaster response efforts. The president's tendency to make unsupported statements about weather and climate has drawn criticism from meteorologists and raises concerns about his grasp of scientific facts.

The details

In recent remarks to reporters, Trump claimed that Cuba is 'not in a hurricane zone' and won't be 'asking us for money for hurricanes every week.' However, just two months earlier, Trump's administration had delivered $3 million in disaster relief to Cuba after Hurricane Melissa slammed the island last October. The administration said it was working with the Catholic Church to ensure the aid 'reaches the Cuban people directly and without regime interference.'

  • In January 2026, the Trump administration delivered $3 million in disaster relief to Cuba after Hurricane Melissa.
  • In February 2026, the administration announced an additional $6 million in supplies for the ongoing humanitarian and energy crisis in Cuba following Hurricane Melissa.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who made the false claims about Cuba being hurricane-free.

John Morales

A certified broadcast and consulting meteorologist who criticized Trump's weather claims about Cuba.

U.S. Department of State

The government agency that announced the disaster relief aid to Cuba following Hurricane Melissa.

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What they’re saying

“They're not in a hurricane zone, which is nice for a change, you know? They won't be asking us for money for hurricanes every week ... I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“The Sharpie in his brain at work.”

— John Morales, Certified Broadcast and Consulting Meteorologist

What’s next

The Trump administration's credibility on disaster response and climate issues is likely to face increased scrutiny following the president's false claims about Cuba's hurricane vulnerability.

The takeaway

President Trump's tendency to make unsupported statements about weather and climate, including his history of altering official weather maps, undermines public trust in the government's ability to provide accurate information and effective disaster relief. This case highlights the need for greater accountability and fact-checking of the president's claims, especially on issues with serious implications for public safety and international relations.