president Joe Biden the Republican presidential candidate said Thursday Donald Trump to “get a life” after the latter accused him and the vice president Kamala Harris to respond slowly and ineffectively to hurricanes. Biden also said the federal government is working quickly to support those affected by the Hurricane Milton.
Biden accused Trump of spreading misinformation about the federal hurricane response during a press briefing on Wednesday. Asked if he had spoken to Trump after his White House remarks, Biden replied: “Are you kidding me?” He then addressed Trump directly, saying: “Mr. President Trump — former President Trump — live, man. Help these people.”
The federal government is actively countering the misinformation that began circulating after Hurricane Helena last month and continued with Hurricane Milton this week. Asked again if he intended to talk to Trump, Biden firmly said, “No.”
The president praised Floridians for heeding evacuation orders, saying their actions helped save lives. However, he noted that it is still too early to assess the full damage from Hurricane Milton. “It’s too early to know the full cost of the damage,” Biden said. “But we know life-saving measures mattered.”
Biden warned that “very dangerous conditions” still exist in the state and urged residents to follow the directives of local authorities. He assured that federal support will continue as long as necessary. “Vice President Harris and I are in constant contact with state and local officials,” he said. “We offer everything they need.”
Biden also stressed that the public will hold Trump accountable for false claims about FEMAthe ability to help storm victims. He mentioned a conversation with Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who confirmed their cooperation, saying, “I spoke to the president this morning … He said he wants to be helpful.”
“Those who spread such lies are undermining confidence in the rescue and recovery efforts,” Biden said. “These lies are harmful to those who need help the most. Lives are at stake and people are in desperate situations – have the decency to tell them the truth.
Trump sharply criticized Biden and Harris, calling their efforts “the worst response to a storm or hurricane in US history.” At a campaign rally, Trump accused Harris of mismanaging the North Carolina storm response and said FEMA diverted funds to undocumented immigrants.
Hurricane Milton left millions in Florida without power as cleanup from Hurricane Helena continues across the Southeast.
With less than four weeks until Election Day, Harris and Trump face a close race to succeed Biden and disaster relief is a critical problem in key battleground states.
