President Joe Biden publicly criticized former President Donald Trump on Thursday, urging him to prioritize helping people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene instead of spreading misinformation about the federal response. Biden's remarks came during a White House briefing on the government's efforts to address the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes.
Biden condemned what he described as 'reckless, irresponsible, and relentless disinformation and outright lies' being perpetuated by Trump and others regarding the disaster response. He specifically refuted claims made by Trump, including allegations that federal funding was being diverted to assist individuals in the country illegally and that aid was limited to $750.
Addressing the $750 disbursement, Biden clarified that it was intended to provide immediate assistance for urgent needs such as food, diapers, and baby formula. He emphasized that individuals impacted by the hurricanes would receive additional support beyond the initial disbursement.
Expressing frustration with the ongoing misinformation, Biden called on Trump and his supporters to cease their false narratives, stating, 'They're being so damn un-American with the way they're talking about this stuff.' While Biden indicated that he had no plans to engage directly with Trump, he delivered a message through the media, urging the former president to 'get a life' and assist those affected by the hurricanes.
During the briefing, Biden also referenced concerns about the safety of first responders, suggesting that they had faced 'death penalties.' It was later clarified that Biden may have misspoken and intended to refer to 'death threats' instead.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Biden's remarks.
