WASHINGTON/DETROIT: US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday criticized Donald Trump for his attacks on the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton and suggested he was wrongly trying to turn the deadly storms to his political advantage.
Biden publicly admonished his predecessor to “get a life, man” and try to help people impacted by the devastating hurricanes rather than spreading misinformation about the federal response.
Those comments came after Trump spoke at the Detroit Economic Club, offering sympathy to people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the latter of which came ashore in Florida Wednesday night. But Trump also suggested that the Biden administration’s response had been lacking, particularly in North Carolina after Helene.
“They’ve let those people suffer unjustly,” said Trump, who has for several days promoted falsehoods about the federal response.
Speaking at the White House on the government’s work to address Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Biden condemned the “reckless, irresponsible and relentless disinformation and outright lies that continue to flow.”
The White House, and Biden personally, have spent days decrying Trump for making false claims about the disaster response, including that federal funding is being diverted for use on people in the country illegally and that such assistance is capped at $750. The $750 is an immediate need disbursement, Biden explained, to cover urgent requirements like food, diapers and baby formula.
“That $750 that they’re talking about, Mr. Trump and all those other people know it’s a lie to suggest that’s all they’re going to get,” Biden said. “It’s just bizarre. They got to stop this. They’re being so damn un-American with the way they’re talking about this stuff.”
Asked if he planned to speak with Trump to urge him to stop, Biden said he wouldn’t, but followed that with a message delivered directly into television cameras: “Mr. President Trump, former President Trump, get a life, man. Help these people.”
At one point Biden suggested that first responders trying to save lives have been subjected to “death penalties,” though it was unclear whether he meant to say “death threats.”
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a message seeking reaction to Biden’s comments.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris walks to speak to reporters before she departs Las Vegas from Harry Reid International Airport on Oct. 10, 2024, en route to Arizona. (AP)
Not the time to play politics
In Las Vegas, Nevada, where she was attending a town hall sponsored by Univision, Vice President Harris was asked about complaints that federal officials have bungled disaster recovery efforts. She responded, “In this crisis — like in so many issues that affect the people of our country — I think it so important that leadership recognizes the dignity” to which people are entitled.
“I have to stress that this is not a time for people to play politics,” Harris added.
Harris virtually attended a briefing, held in the White House Situation Room with President Joe Biden, on emergency efforts in Milton’s wake.
Despite the storm, Trump and Harris are both visiting key swing states strategically, trying to increase support with key voting blocs who could decide an election expected to be exceedingly close.
