Trump Appointee at FEMA Says He Was Teleported to Waffle House
Gregg Phillips, appointed in December to lead FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, said on a January 2025 podcast he was involuntarily teleported to a Waffle House.
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Overview
In a January 2025 podcast, Gregg Phillips said he was involuntarily teleported to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia, which he said occurred about 50 miles from where he had been.
Phillips was appointed in December to lead FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, the agency's largest division that recommends federal disaster declarations and aid.
A FEMA spokesperson called inquiries 'so silly it's barely worth acknowledging' in response to reporting about Phillips's podcast remarks.
Phillips rose to prominence as a far-right activist who promoted the baseless claim that three million illegal votes were cast in 2016 and appeared in the documentary '2000 Mules'.
FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security said they and Phillips are focused on emergency management and ensuring the safety of the American people.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by emphasizing Phillips's fringe credentials and sensational claims: labeling him a 'far-right activist' who 'spread conspiracy theories' and used 'violent rhetoric,' highlighting his 'bizarre claims' of being 'teleported' and juxtaposing them with his FEMA role and storm readiness. The direct teleport quotes are source content, not editorial invention.
FAQ
Gregg Phillips, a far-right activist known for promoting baseless 2016 election fraud claims and appearing in '2000 Mules,' was appointed in December 2024 to lead FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, the agency's largest division overseeing disaster declarations and aid.
On a January 2025 podcast, Phillips claimed he was involuntarily teleported to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia, about 50 miles from his previous location.
A FEMA spokesperson dismissed inquiries about the claim as 'so silly it's barely worth acknowledging.'
Phillips has no experience in disaster response or emergency management, yet he leads FEMA's key division for response and recovery, prompting criticism from staff about potential risks to Americans during disasters.[1]
In February 2026, Phillips testified before Congress on government shutdown impacts, stating FEMA can continue emergency responses but reimbursements and coordination would be disrupted.
