The White House has faced widespread online criticism after an official “Rapid Response 47” account appeared to thank President Donald Trump for the unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season. With no hurricanes having formed so far in 2026, the post prompted disbelief from social media users, some of whom questioned why a president was being credited for weather conditions. One commenter compared thanking a politician for the weather to thanking a landlord for the sunrise, while others sarcastically asked whether Trump was somehow responsible for preventing hurricanes. Another critic called the post “crazy” and accused the account of becoming a parody of itself. The post did not provide any explanation for how Trump could have influenced the lack of tropical storms, leaving many readers confused about the apparent claim.

Scientists, however, have offered a very different explanation for the unusually inactive season. Atmospheric science professor Kristen Corbosiero of the University at Albany told the Daily Express that the Atlantic is currently extremely unfavorable for tropical cyclone development, describing conditions as a powerful combination of factors working against storm formation. Researchers have pointed to a strong El Niño pattern as a major reason for the lack of hurricanes. Patrick Rafter, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, said a major El Niño is not necessarily something the continental United States should be overly concerned about, although the climate pattern has historically been associated with warmer winters across North America and wetter, cooler conditions in the South. Davidson College professor Risper Nyairo added that El Niño could mean fewer or weaker hurricanes but potentially more severe tornadoes and storms. Researchers have also warned of larger waves and higher sea levels along the West Coast, while drier conditions in some areas could contribute to increased wildfire risks.