President Joe Biden recently took aim at former President Donald Trump, calling out his spread of misinformation regarding the federal response to recent hurricanes. During a White House speech addressing the efforts following Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Biden described Trump’s claims as “reckless and irresponsible,” urging him to “get a life, man.”
Biden’s administration has been actively countering what it describes as false narratives from Trump, particularly misstatements regarding federal funding. Trump claimed that money was being diverted away from disaster relief to assist undocumented immigrants, and questioned a supposed $750 cap on relief aid. Biden clarified that the $750 figure reflects initial, urgent disbursements for essentials like food and baby formula, not the total assistance recipients can expect.
“That $750 isn’t the end of aid, Mr. Trump, and you know it,” Biden stated. “It’s bizarre and un-American to suggest otherwise.” He also emphasized that he had no intention of speaking with Trump directly, instead addressing him through the media, saying, “Help these people.”
Biden’s comments came amidst claims from Trump and some GOP allies that the Biden administration mishandled disaster relief for Hurricane Helene, which resulted in over 200 fatalities and significant destruction in the Southeast. An op-ed in Trump’s home state, the Miami Herald, criticized his statements about disaster funding, calling them “garbage.” The piece rebutted Trump’s assertion that funds were misappropriated to address immigration issues.
Additionally, Trump falsely claimed that Republican Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia was unable to communicate with Biden regarding federal disaster aid. Former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan, who endorsed Kamala Harris for 2024, condemned Trump’s remarks on CNN, saying they highlighted the troubling state of the Republican Party and the inappropriate politicization of disaster recovery efforts.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.