Vice President Kamala Harris condemned former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for disseminating misinformation and neglecting their responsibilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Harris accused Trump of spreading false information regarding the availability of resources for Helene survivors, labeling his actions as 'extraordinarily irresponsible' and self-centered. She emphasized the importance of individuals accessing the assistance they are entitled to and urged people to apply for the available help.
Trump's claims that FEMA funds were diverted to support illegal migrants and that only $750 was being provided to those who lost their homes were debunked by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who labeled these assertions as baseless and misleading. In response to the misinformation, FEMA launched a dedicated website to address and counter such rumors.
Furthermore, Harris criticized Governor DeSantis for allegedly ignoring her office's calls for collaboration in the wake of the hurricane. She condemned DeSantis's actions as 'playing political games' and deemed them as irresponsible and self-serving.
In response, DeSantis stated that he was unaware of the missed calls from the vice president and expressed his lack of knowledge regarding her attempts to reach out to him.
The exchange between Harris, Trump, and DeSantis highlights the ongoing challenges in effectively managing disaster response efforts and combating the spread of misinformation during times of crisis.
