Biden Slams Trump’s “Un-American Lies” on Hurricane Response \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Joe Biden strongly criticized Donald Trump for spreading “un-American” lies about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene, while Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. Biden specifically addressed misinformation regarding FEMA’s resources, calling out Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for misrepresenting the situation. Biden assured those in Milton’s path that the government has staged essential supplies and rescue teams.
Biden Denounces Trump’s “Un-American Lies” on Hurricane Response: Quick Looks
- Misinformation Accusation: Biden accuses Trump of spreading falsehoods about the government’s handling of Hurricane Helene.
- Federal Resources: 20 million meals, 40 million liters of water staged for Hurricane Milton’s aftermath.
- Greene’s Claims: Biden dismisses Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comments on government control of weather as “beyond ridiculous.”
- Biden’s Pledge: Assures affected communities that the federal government, led by Kamala Harris, is ready to assist with rescue, recovery, and rebuilding.
Deep Look:
President Joe Biden on Wednesday unleashed a fierce rebuke of former President Donald Trump for spreading what he described as an “onslaught of lies” regarding the federal response to recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene. As Hurricane Milton neared landfall in Florida, Biden used a White House address to push back on Trump’s accusations that the government has mishandled the crisis.
In his remarks, Biden stressed the importance of facts and transparency during national emergencies, criticizing Trump for undermining public trust by misrepresenting the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Quite frankly, these lies are un-American,” Biden said. “Former President Trump has led this onslaught of lies.”
Trump and some of his Republican allies have accused Biden’s administration of failing to prepare adequately for the storms and of mismanaging FEMA’s resources. One of the most prominent voices in this criticism has been Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who claimed, without evidence, that the federal government could control weather patterns. While Biden has often avoided addressing such outlandish claims directly, on Wednesday, he made an exception. “Her comments are beyond ridiculous,” Biden said, expressing his frustration. “It’s like something out of a comic book.”
Biden’s remarks followed a series of criticisms Trump has made at rallies leading up to the November presidential election. Trump has used the hurricanes as a focal point to galvanize his supporters, drawing direct comparisons between Biden’s handling of the storms and the government’s much-maligned response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Speaking to a crowd in Wisconsin, Trump claimed, “This is the worst response to a storm or a catastrophe or a hurricane that we’ve ever seen, ever. Probably worse than Katrina, and that’s hard to beat, right?”
Biden strongly disagreed with these comparisons, pointing out that the circumstances and outcomes between the hurricanes were vastly different. While Hurricane Katrina tragically resulted in 1,392 deaths, Hurricane Helene has resulted in around 230 fatalities. He emphasized that FEMA and military units have been proactively prepared for Hurricane Milton, which was set to hit Florida imminently. Biden reassured residents in the storm’s path that the government had staged 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water, along with search-and-rescue units, ready to respond to the disaster. “We’ve got your back,” Biden said, adding that Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, would be by his side, ready to help the nation recover and rebuild.
Biden’s frustration with misinformation has been evident throughout the past few weeks. Earlier on Wednesday, during a virtual briefing on federal preparations for Hurricane Milton, Biden addressed Trump’s allies and their repeated distortions about the federal government’s efforts. “It’s gotta stop,” Biden said, bristling at the disinformation being circulated. “It’s off the wall and dangerous.” He didn’t hold back from criticizing Greene’s conspiracy theories, labeling them “completely absurd.”
While Trump continues to gain traction with his supporters by amplifying these criticisms, Biden focused his attention on reassuring the public that his administration is taking the storms seriously. His team has been on high alert, coordinating efforts to ensure that FEMA and local authorities have the resources needed to manage Hurricane Milton’s impending damage. Biden also warned the public to take precautions, seek shelter, and follow local officials’ guidance.
The president also noted the immense challenge of battling both disinformation and natural disasters simultaneously. “Misinformation is almost as damaging as the storms themselves,” Biden said, emphasizing that the spread of false narratives weakens public trust and hinders the federal government’s ability to respond effectively. He urged his critics, including Trump and Greene, to stop undermining national disaster efforts for political gain.
In addition to misinformation, Biden took time to highlight the real efforts being made to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Milton. “We have the resources and manpower in place to manage this disaster,” Biden assured the public. The president stressed the importance of unity in times of national crisis, explaining that the government, under his leadership, is committed to doing everything possible to minimize loss of life and assist affected communities in rebuilding after the storm passes.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who took over the presidential campaign in July after Biden’s withdrawal, echoed Biden’s remarks and joined him in assuring the public that the federal government would provide long-term support to those affected. Harris, who has also been a target of misinformation from Trump and his supporters, has used her platform to counter these attacks and emphasize the administration’s work in disaster management.
As Trump continues to rally his base around criticisms of the Biden administration, Biden and Harris remain focused on responding to the immediate crisis at hand. With Hurricane Milton on the verge of striking Florida, Biden reiterated his administration’s commitment to rescuing, recovering, and rebuilding the storm-hit areas.
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