Political Storm: Trump Calls Hurricane Response 'A Disaster' - 'Biden-Harris' Hits Back
As 'Biden-Harris' defends the hurricane response, Trump criticizes FEMA's efforts. The political storm over disaster relief heats up with weeks left before the election.
“Vice President Harris and I have constantly contacted state and local officials. We are offering everything they need.” - President Joseph R. Biden
By Richard Luthmann
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton has left Florida in a state of recovery, but the political storm between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump continues to intensify. As millions of residents in Florida remain without power and essential services, the federal government's response to both Hurricane Milton and the earlier Hurricane Helene has taken center stage, with just weeks left before the 2024 presidential election.
Before Milton made landfall Trump wasted no time attacking the administration, accusing Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of failing to lead an effective disaster response.
"The worst response to a hurricane in U.S. history," Trump declared on social media. He compared Biden's handling of the situation to the much-criticized federal response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“THE WORST RESPONSE TO A STORM OR HURRICANE DISASTER IN U.S. HISTORY,” Trump repeated in a post on Tuesday. He continued his barrage of criticism at a campaign rally in Michigan, praising Republican governors in the South for doing "a fantastic job" while attacking the federal government for failing to provide adequate support, particularly in North Carolina, a critical battleground state.
Speaking to reporters after the storm, Biden struck back at Trump's allegations.
“Vice President Harris and I have been in constant contact with state and local officials. We are offering everything they need,” Biden said.
Biden has accused Trump of spreading false information and inflaming an already challenging situation.
“The public will hold him accountable,” Biden asserted.
The political climate has been charged with tension as both hurricanes have swept across states critical to the upcoming election. North Carolina and Georgia, hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, are among the key battlegrounds that could determine the outcome of the 2024 race. With the election only four weeks away, disaster relief efforts have become a flashpoint in the contest between Harris and Trump for the White House.
Federal Response Under Fire
Trump’s criticisms are not limited to the federal government's response time. He has repeatedly made false claims that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) diverted disaster relief funds to assist undocumented immigrants entering the U.S.
"You know where they gave the money to: illegal immigrants coming," Trump said during a Wednesday rally, sparking boos from the crowd.
The Biden administration has vigorously denied these allegations, but the narrative has gained traction among Trump’s base, fueling claims of governmental neglect in states affected by the storms. Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s son, highlighted that his family opened one of its Florida hotels to house over 200 linemen working to restore power, a move aimed at showcasing Trump’s commitment to helping storm victims.
Meanwhile, Biden emphasized the coordinated efforts between state and federal agencies. He praised FEMA’s response, stating that resources have been mobilized quickly to assist the hardest-hit areas.
At a press conference, Biden reiterated his support for the affected states, “We’re doing everything possible to help people recover from these devastating storms.”
DeSantis Caught in the Crossfire
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also found himself in the political crosshairs. While Trump praised the response of Republican governors, including DeSantis, the Florida governor faced criticism from Vice President Harris for not taking her calls during the height of the disaster. Harris accused DeSantis of playing "political games" instead of focusing on hurricane relief efforts.
“People are in desperate need of support right now, and playing political games…is just utterly irresponsible,” Harris said.
DeSantis fired back, claiming Harris’s office had not contacted him directly and accusing her of trying to politicize the crisis.
“I didn’t know that she had called. I’m not sure who they called. They didn’t call me,” DeSantis told reporters.
He later added that Harris had "no role" in the federal disaster response and that he had worked well with both Biden and Trump administrations during previous storms.
Despite the heated rhetoric, DeSantis has acknowledged the importance of federal assistance.
“Everything we’ve asked for from President Biden, he’s approved,” DeSantis admitted during a press conference. However, he maintained that Florida was prepared to handle much of the recovery on its own.
Federal Aid Under Scrutiny
Beyond the immediate political sparring, questions about FEMA’s resource allocation have become a central issue. Reports emerged that FEMA has struggled to meet the growing demands placed on it by both hurricanes. Some critics argue that the agency is stretched too thin, pointing to its funding being used for other purposes, including assisting migrants.
Immigrant “Barbarism” in Ohio: Blunted Media Coverage?
The $1 billion reportedly spent on settling undocumented immigrants over the last year has fueled the controversy. While FEMA officials have clarified that the funds come from different budget allocations, the optics have not played well in the aftermath of two devastating storms. Many residents in Florida and the Carolinas are frustrated by delays in aid, particularly in rural and less densely populated areas.
“It doesn’t make sense,” said one resident of South Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. “We’ve been waiting for help for days, but we hear about money going to other places.”
The debate has extended beyond FEMA to broader questions about government priorities. The Biden administration has also come under fire for sending hundreds of millions in aid to countries like Lebanon while domestic disaster relief efforts remain underfunded. Critics, including former Trump administration officials, argue that this shows a failure to put “America First.”
America First or Last?
The controversy has allowed Trump to reintroduce his “America First” slogan, a theme that resonates with his supporters. What distinguishes Trump from everyone else is that he recognizes the primary job of the U.S. President is to protect Americans.
Some voters are increasingly concerned that the federal government is prioritizing foreign aid and immigration issues over domestic needs. As the election draws closer, the politics of disaster relief are likely to remain a key talking point.
With millions of lives affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both sides will continue to leverage the federal response as a litmus test for leadership. And while the storms may have passed, the political winds show no signs of calming down.