Biden Slams “Un-American” Trump Again Over Hurricane Milton Misinformation As Florida Landfall Looms
President Joe Biden again called out as “un-American” the misinformation being spread by Donald Trump and others about Hurricane Milton baring down on the Florida coast in the next few hours.
“I’ve used the phrase more often recently than in my whole career,” Biden said, taking questions from the press after giving an update this afternoon from the White House as the so-called storm of the century nears landfall. “Un-American. It’s un-American. It’s not who the hell we are.”
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Biden repeated the term when asked about reports in Bob Woodward’s new book War of Trump sending Covid tests to Vladimir Putin during the early and chaotic weeks of the pandemic. “Speaking of un-American,” he said.
Covered live on all the cable newsers, the Weather Channel and ABC, NBC and CBS stations across the nation, Biden’s remarks come as a political storm is raging alongside the winds, rain and tornados hitting the West Coast of the Sunshine State.
“Over the last few weeks, there’s been reckless and irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies about what’s going on,” Biden told the country and TV cameras this afternoon. “It’s undermining confidence in the people in Florida and incredible rescue and recovery work that has been undertaken,” the openly angry POTUS went on to say in language he used earlier in the day.
“Quite frankly, these lies are un-American and there’s simply no place for them, not now, not ever,” Biden said in reference to the comments about Milton and the recent Hurricane Helene that wreaked havoc in the area, and in Georgia up to the Carolinas.
“Former President Trump has led this onslaught of lies,” Biden added, naming names that may not have landed so well with Fox News viewers watching live.
“Assertions have been made that property is being confiscated,” Biden continued, while praising the efforts of FEMA and other federal and local agencies. “It’s simply not true. They’re saying people impacted by these storms received $750 in cash and no more. That is simply not true either. They’re saying that money needed for these crises are being diverted to migrants.”
As even meteorologists are now said to be getting death threats, Biden roared over the crises of climate and confidence.
“What the hell heck are they talking about?” he said of Trump and other Republicans “Stop it. It’s outrageous. It’s just not true. Now the claims are getting even more bizarre. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the congresswoman from Georgia, is now saying the federal government is literally controlling the weather. We’re controlling the weather. It’s beyond ridiculous. It’s so stupid, it’s got to stop.”
Earlier this week, in relation to Hurricane Helene’s wrath, Greene claimed that the government can control the weather, and hence is responsible for the damage done and to come. “It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done,” the congresswoman wrote on social media. Biden has called the statement “beyond ridiculous.”
As Biden is overseeing hurricane relief and assistance, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared at a hurricane briefing earlier in the day on video from New York, where she was completing a media blitz in her close race with Trump. Commanding the airwaves in her own way, the VP later called in to CNN and The Weather Channel to talk about preparations and decry to wave of misinformation about hurricane recovery and response.
Noting Harris’ involvement with the government’s response, Biden this afternoon pleaded with everyone “in Hurricane Milton’s path to listen to local officials and follow all the safety instructions they give at this point.”
At a Category 3 right now but picking up speed, Milton is expected to hit Tampa, St, Petersburg and nearby cities and town hard by early evening. Those who have not already evacuated are urged to shelter in place to stay alive and avoid surging water. As Florida braces for the impact, it is likely Biden will be before the cameras later tonight.
Ted Johnson contributed to this report.
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