President Biden has said he has deployed Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellites, with more going in place, so people can reach their loved ones and have cell service in the South

Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service, is set to play a crucial role in aiding southern Appalachia communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The Biden administration announced plans to deploy dozens of ground-based Starlink devices that connect to satellites to provide internet access in remote areas. SpaceX has also confirmed that around 500 Starlink kits are being distributed by private individuals and organizations to support recovery efforts, with CEO Elon Musk stating that the company is waiving fees in the affected regions.

These efforts come as many communities remain isolated from phone and internet services. However, politics have entered the picture alongside the recovery.

Former President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that he had personally spoken with Musk, one of his prominent supporters, about deploying Starlink to the impacted areas. This prompted a response from a Biden administration spokesperson, who pointed out that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) already had Starlink deliveries planned.

The brief back-and-forth took place amid some scrutiny of the federal government's response, with questions raised about FEMA's preparedness and resource allocation before the storm. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the disaster-stricken area on Wednesday.

While Musk has not directly criticized the federal recovery efforts, he has associated Starlink with Trump. On Tuesday, Musk reposted the former president's claim that he had requested Starlinks for the region, and he acknowledged that Trump had informed him about the need for more terminals in North Carolina.

"Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need," Musk posted on X. "Earlier today, @realDonaldTrump alerted me to additional people who need Starlink Internet in North Carolina. We are sending them terminals right away."