Kamala Harris criticizes Trump/ Hurricane Helene misinformation/ DeSantis and Harris clash/ federal aid response/ election tensions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris criticized former President Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about federal aid following Hurricane Helene, calling his remarks “incredibly irresponsible.” Harris also took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, accusing him of “political gamesmanship” amid storm recovery efforts as Category 5 Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
Harris Condemns Hurricane Misinformation: Quick Looks
- Trump’s Claims: Trump allegedly spread falsehoods about federal aid being withheld.
- Harris’s Rebuke: Harris labeled Trump’s comments “extraordinarily irresponsible.”
- DeSantis Criticism: Harris called DeSantis out for “political games” in storm aftermath.
- Milton Approaches: Florida braces for Category 5 Hurricane Milton as tensions rise.
Harris Slams Trump for ‘Irresponsible’ Claims on Helene Response
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris voiced sharp criticism toward former President Donald Trump, calling him “incredibly irresponsible” for his comments regarding the federal response to Hurricane Helene. Speaking with reporters before boarding Air Force Two for a flight to New York, Harris condemned Trump’s “misinformation and disinformation” surrounding aid efforts, asserting that his statements prioritize political gain over disaster relief.
“People are entitled to these resources, and it is critically important that people apply for the help that is there to support,” Harris emphasized, stressing the importance of access to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) support for victims of Hurricane Helene. According to FEMA, resources remain robust and available for immediate response needs. Harris dismissed Trump’s claim that FEMA’s funds were depleted due to allocations to programs for immigrants, saying that these remarks create unnecessary confusion and anxiety among disaster victims.
Hurricane Helene, which devastated six states and left over 220 fatalities in its wake, has since been followed by another intense storm, Hurricane Milton, which is currently bearing down on Florida’s Gulf Coast with Category 5 strength. As the storm approaches, concerns over misinformation have intensified, particularly as Election Day draws near.
Trump also faced backlash for his comments at a rally in Valdosta, Georgia, where he claimed that President Joe Biden had been “sleeping” through disaster response efforts and ignoring calls from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Biden refuted the claim, noting that he had indeed spoken to Kemp, and reportedly labeled Trump’s statement as “a lie.” Harris similarly denounced Trump’s remarks as misleading, saying they only serve to stoke division rather than foster relief efforts.
In addition to criticizing Trump, Harris also directed her frustrations toward Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Harris’s office confirmed she reached out to DeSantis following Helene’s impact, but DeSantis claimed he was unaware of her attempt to contact him, later remarking, “It wasn’t anything anybody in my office did in saying that it was political.” Harris, however, stood by her statement, expressing disapproval of what she termed “political gamesmanship” at a time when Florida residents need tangible support. “People are in desperate need of support right now, and playing political games in crisis situations … is utterly irresponsible,” she said.
President Biden himself reached out to DeSantis ahead of Hurricane Milton, ensuring the governor had a direct line to the White House should Florida need additional support. The White House later confirmed that Biden encouraged DeSantis to “call him directly” if federal assistance could aid in the response to Milton’s potential landfall.
In response to Harris’s criticisms, DeSantis spoke with Fox News host Sean Hannity, describing Harris’s remarks as “delusional.” He maintained that he has cooperated effectively with Biden and other federal officials during past storms and insisted that Harris has had little involvement in relief efforts. “I don’t have time for political games,” DeSantis declared, adding that he had collaborated well with both Biden and Trump on disaster responses and that Harris’s comments were merely attempts to score political points.
As Milton’s landfall nears, Harris’s remarks reflect heightened tensions between federal and state leaders on handling storm responses. With a record-breaking storm season underway, the stakes are high, and the effects of these political confrontations are likely to resonate well beyond the immediate crisis. Harris’s accusations, coupled with DeSantis’s retort, highlight the growing divide as officials grapple with the responsibilities of relief management amid a highly polarized election year.
