Former FEMA spokesperson faced online threats tied to misinformation

Jaclyn Rothenberg, who served as a spokesperson and director of public affairs at FEMA from July 2021 to late 2024, says she faced sustained online threats while leading communications during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024. She now works as senior vice president for reputation management at Avoq and advises companies on preparing leaders and staff for similar risks.

During the response, misinformation spread quickly amid the election cycle, and officials attempting to share safety and recovery information were targeted. Rothenberg says the attacks became explicitly antisemitic; social posts mocked her appearance and last name, shared altered photos, and included rhetoric that led the agency to place security protection around her after someone threatened to kill her.

Her husband recalled asking, "How can you keep doing this?" and she leaned on a sense of duty rooted in a Jewish practice called tikkun olam. A contractor tracking misinformation alerted senior leaders, who told Rothenberg there was a serious threat.

jaclyn rothenberg, fema, online threats, misinformation, hurricane helene, hurricane milton, election cycle, antisemitic attacks, avoq, reputation management