Addressing a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump made several claims about federal spending that he described as wasteful — including the assertion that his administration had identified $59 million supposedly spent on New York City hotel rooms to house immigrants living in the country illegally.

A viral post claims that FEMA sent hurricane relief funds to New York City earlier this month to pay for housing illegal immigrants in hotels. “Elon just announced … The Biden Administration stole FEMA money that was meant for American hurricane victims and spent it on luxury hotels for illegals in New York!” the post reads.

New York City is taking the Trump administration to court over its decision to clawback more than $80 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for

A federal judge blocked New York City’s request for President Donald Trump’s administration to return $80 million in FEMA funds allocated for migrant shelters and services.

DHS clawed back the money last month after firing four FEMA staffers for sending $59 million to New York City hotels housing illegal immigrants.