‘This Onslaught of Lies’: Biden Takes on Trump Over Disaster-response Disinformation
President works with FEMA ahead of Milton’s fierce landfall in Florida
President Biden went at Donald Trump directly over the rampant disinformation the former president has been spreading about the federal response to the deadly hurricane, Helene in recent days.
Biden made his remarks Wednesday during a briefing with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) just ahead of the next monster storm — Milton — making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Trump, along with running mate Sen JD Vance of Ohio, have been lying for political purposes as the pair battle the Democratic ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, ahead of the November election.
The federal government has been providing assistance and relief across the Southeast since Hurricane Helene swept across the region late last month.
The deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland US since Katrina in 2005, Helene left dead more than 200 Americans and dozens of others remain missing.
Trump, who has repeated baseless lies and distortions about the federal response, falsely claimed money earmarked for disaster aid has been given to migrants.
Some Republicans — including Sens Mutt Romney of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — have criticized Trump for his repeated falsehoods.
And Biden condemned Trump directly, as well.
Biden denounced the “reckless, irresponsible, and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies” by Trump and some of his Republican allies.
“Former President Trump has led this onslaught of lies. Assertions have been made that property is being confiscated. That’s simply not true,” Biden said. “They’re saying people impacted by these storms will receive $750 in cash and no more. That’s simply not true.
“They’re saying the money is needed for the this crisis is being diverted to migrants,” he added. “What a ridiculous thing to say. It’s not true.”
The president also decried a top Trump ally in Congress, Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, for a recent social media post that said that an unnamed “they” can control the weather.
“It’s beyond ridiculous. It’s got to stop,” Biden said. “In moments like this, there are no red or blue states. There’s one United States of America, where neighbors are helping neighbors; volunteers and first responders are risking everything, including their own lives, to help their fellow Americans; state, local, and federal officials are standing side by side.”
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