OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
President Joe Biden appeared to lose his cool during a live TV interview when the subject turned to a claim made by former President Donald Trump regarding the Biden-Harris administration’s response in providing emergency relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation over the weekend.
The storm wreaked havoc across parts of the southeastern United States, particularly in North Carolina, which experienced significant damage. On Monday, Trump took to Truth Social to assert that the Biden-Harris regime was neglecting to provide assistance to predominantly Republican-leaning areas of the state. He claimed that Biden and his team are “going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas.”
That said, Biden swiftly approved disaster declarations in both the Carolinas and Florida, enabling victims to access federal resources. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal departments have been on the ground to assist in these areas and other affected states.
On Monday, Biden addressed reporters in the Oval Office, answering questions about the federal government’s response.
“Donald Trump has accused both of you of ignoring the disaster–” one reporter began before Biden cut him off.
“He is lying,” the president declared. “Let me get you straight. He’s lying and the governor told him he was lying. The governor told him he was lying. I’ve spoken to the governor and spent time with him. And he told me he’s lying. I don’t know why he does this.”
Biden went on to accuse Trump of being “irresponsible” with his words.
WATCH:
President Biden on former President Trump: “He’s lying and the governor told him he was lying…I’ve spoken to the governor…and the reason I get so angry about it, I don’t care about what he says about me, but I care what he communicates to the people that are in need.” pic.twitter.com/8vBZhMfAUl
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 30, 2024
Despite his anger, the president spent the weekend relaxing at the beach while Appalachian valleys in North Carolina and Tennessee experienced deadly flooding from the hurricane.
As of Sunday morning, dozens had lost their lives across the southeastern United States, and the death toll is expected to increase due to the torrential rain brought by the Category 4 storm, which struck the Big Bend of Florida on Thursday, The Federalist reported.
Biden’s public schedule showed him departing for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on Friday, where he has one of his homes, the day after the hurricane made landfall. Initially, he was expected to stay through late Sunday evening, but the president reportedly returned to Washington earlier on Sunday as tensions escalated in the Middle East.
“President Biden and I continue to work with local leaders in the southeast to provide support as they face the impacts of Hurricane Helene and begin to recover,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a post on X. “More than 1,500 federal personnel have been deployed, including power restoration and search and rescue teams,” she added, but has made no plans to visit the flooding region where millions are still without power.
Trump, meanwhile, visited storm-ravaged areas on Monday and launched a $1 million GoFundMe campaign to assist storm victims.
With so many across the Southeastern U.S. facing challenges after the storm, President Trump is on the ground in communities to see the aftermath firsthand,” the page states. “All donations will be directed to help those most affected by Hurricane Helene. Any level of generosity will go a long way for your fellow Americans who are suffering.”
Donors included former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who gave $500,000. Bass Pro Shop, known for its chain of wilderness-themed stores and wide array of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear, gave $100,000, Fox News reported. The outlet added that one donor named Dana White—presumably the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship who’s a close friend of Trump’s—also gave $100,000.
“Hedge fund billionaire William Ackman also pledged $100,000. Other donors included Kid Rock, U.S. Sen. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wy., and personal injury attorney Dan Newlin,” the outlet noted further.
