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Who is Gregg Phillips? 5 things to know on FEMA official behind Waffle House teleportation claim
Gregg Phillips sparked controversy after claiming he “teleported” 50 miles to a Waffle House IN Georgia, drawing attention to the 65-year-old official.
Gregg Phillips, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response and recovery office, has sparked a row claiming that he once teleported around 50 miles to a Waffle House nearby.
Phillips recently appeared on a slew of podcasts and claimed several times in them that he was deported against his will to a Waffle House in Georgia, located 50 miles away from where he was initially. For instance, he made the claim on the podcast, Onward, which is co-hosted by far-right commentator Catherine Engelbrecht.
“I was with my boys one time, and I was telling them I was gonna go to Waffle House and get Waffle House," he said. "And I ended up at a Waffle House – this was in Georgia, and I end up at a Waffle House like 50 miles away from where I was.”
He claimed the experience was “scary” and an “incredibly frightening moment,” adding that teleporting “is no fun.”
A CNN report on Gregg Phillips' bizarre comments, especially coming as it did from a top FEMA official, has sparked interest in the 65-year-old. In this article, we will look at him in five key points.
5 Things To Know On Gregg Phillips
1. He was a popular conspiracy theorist
Gregg Phillips has been a popular conspiracy theorist before joining the federal agency. He rose to prominence on far-right social media, promoting claims around the 2016 election fraud via True the Vote, alleging millions of illegal votes.
2. Appointed by Trump to FEMA
He was appointed by Trump in December 2025. His role is seen as FEMA's second-most critical. It handles search-and-rescue, aid distribution, and billions in relief, despite limited disaster management experience.
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3. Previously held state HHS roles
Phillips previously served as deputy commissioner at Texas Health and Human Services (2003-2004) and led Mississippi's Department of Human Services. He also founded a health-care analytics firm.
4. Promoted 'Chinese army' theories
Phillips has promoted theories like a Chinese army at the U.S. border and used violent rhetoric against opponents.
5. Criticized FEMA's Hurricane Helene response
Phillips called the hurricane Helene response the agency's "biggest failure." He visited affected areas in North Carolina and alleged poor support for devastated communities and contractor mismanagement. He accused FEMA of taking undue credit while pushing "DEI woke" agendas.
