TikToker Mama Tot faces backlash over alleged Hurricane Helene conspiracy theory

Popular TikToker Ophelia Nichol, known as “Mama Tot,” is at the center of controversy after fans accused her of spreading misinformation regarding Hurricane Helene and FEMA’s response to the disaster. 

Nichol, a social media influencer with over two million followers on TikTok, is known for her positive and supportive content. However, a since-deleted TikTok video has sparked backlash, with some viewers claiming she echoed conspiracy theories about the U.S. government withholding disaster relief from Republican areas.

The conspiracy theory alleges that FEMA prioritized aid to Democrat-leaning regions while neglecting Republican victims of Hurricane Helene. This marks the first time Nichol has been accused of promoting any conspiracy theory, causing concern among her fanbase. Despite the video's removal, it was downloaded and circulated on other social media platforms, leading to widespread discussion.

In response, Mama Tot addressed the backlash in a video posted on October 6, 2024, asserting that she has never used her platform for political purposes. Nichol emphasized, “Not one time have I ever used my platform for politics or for any of that stuff... I never said anything about politics, FEMA, money, the government, presidents… None of that.” She explained that her comments stemmed from frustration and sadness over the hurricane's devastation.

Despite the controversy, Nichol continues to post her usual feel-good content, including videos of her donating to hurricane victims and offering positive affirmations to her followers.