Biden admonishes Trump for spreading false information regarding storms, vows to provide adequate assistance to Milton disaster survivors.
Reporters questioned Biden following his remarks at the White House if he had conversed with ex-President Trump. In response, Biden asked incredulously, "Are you serious?"
He then addressed the camera directly, delivering a stern message to his predecessor, "Mr. Trump, former President Trump, get a life, man. Help these people."
Biden's appearance on Thursday underscores the federal government's eagerness to circulate their message amidst the tsunami of misinformation that surfaced following Hurricane Helene's arrival and continues to propagate after Hurricane Milton. This is the third time Biden has addressed the nation regarding the storm in a 24-hour period, each time emphasizing the need to debunk the spreading of false rumors while explicitly calling out Trump, the leading proponent of storm-related misinformation.
When asked again if he planned to engage with Trump before departing the room, Biden retorted, "No."
Biden believes lives were saved due to Florida residents adhering to evacuation orders issued by local authorities. However, he warned that the full extent of Hurricane Milton's damages across the state was yet to be determined, as the storm had only just made landfall.
"It's still too soon to comprehend the entirety of the harm," Biden stated from the White House on Thursday. "But we do understand that lifesaving measures proved instrumental."
Cautioning about the hazardous circumstances within the state, Biden encouraged residents to abide by their local officials' directives and vowed the federal government's continued presence until it was no longer needed.
"Vice President Harris and I have been in constant touch with state and local officials," the president revealed. "We're prepared to provide whatever assistance they require."
However, Biden's most impassioned address centered on the spate of misinformation and social media rumors concerning the storms that have plagued the past month.
Some of the false information has led to aid workers receiving death threats. Federal authorities warned that on certain occasions, these rumors were designed to deter people seeking help.
"Those propagating such falsehoods are undermining confidence in the rescue and recovery efforts underway," Biden declared. "These falsehoods are also detrimental to those in dire need of assistance. Lives are at stake; people are in crisis – display some decency and tell them the truth."
Biden emphasizes communication with officials across Milton-affected region
Biden also revealed that he has been in contact with governors, mayors, and other officials in the region impacted by Hurricane Milton – aiming to clarify the level of communication between federal and state governments following some reports indicating that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had ignored calls from Harris.
Though Harris expressed her desire to speak with DeSantis, the purpose of such a conversation remains unclear. Requests for disaster declarations or federal aid are typically funneled through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the president, and would not necessitate a conversation with the vice president.
DeSantis, in an interview with Fox News, claimed he was unaware of Harris' attempts to reach him but remarked that Harris "has no role in this process" while boasting that he collaborates with both Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who appeared but remained silent during a DeSantis-led press conference in Florida.
Harris, according to DeSantis, "is selfishly meddling in this process when things are progressing smoothly."
Biden and DeSantis reportedly spoke twice – first as Hurricane Milton was brewing in the gulf and later following the storm's landfall – according to the White House.
Both officials have encouraged each other positively as Florida grappled with Helene's aftermath and prepared for Milton – a common occurrence even among the most entrenched political opponents collaborating to recover from natural disasters.
Biden has also engaged with various other legislators, including Florida Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna and Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott.
Despite the political tension between Biden and Trump, the former President's actions continue to influence the political discourse. Biden's harsh words for Trump highlight the divide in their approaches to addressing misinformation, a prominent issue in modern politics.
Furthermore, Biden's efforts to communicate with officials in the Milton-affected region underscore the importance of unity and collaboration in responding to natural disasters, demonstrating that politics should not hinder efforts to aid those in crisis.
