US President Joe Biden has sharply criticised former President Donald Trump for spreading disinformation about the federal government’s actions in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. According to AFP, Biden said that Trump was fuelling an “avalanche of lies” that undermined confidence in the relief efforts.
At a White House meeting on Hurricane Milton, which was expected to hit Florida, Biden condemned the “irresponsible and dangerous spread of disinformation”. He stressed that such claims harm the people who need help the most.
Trump and his supporters, particularly Republicans, have accused Democrats of “stealing money” from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund programmes for “illegal immigrants”. Biden called the accusations “absurd” and “false”, stressing that such claims are not true.
In addition, Biden criticised even more extravagant claims by Trump supporter Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, who said that the federal government controls the weather. “This is beyond absurd,” the president said.
Vice President Kamala Harris also warned that those who try to take advantage of the hurricane to raise prices for goods or services will be held accountable.
Biden urged citizens to be cautious and follow evacuation instructions ahead of Hurricane Milton, which he called the “storm of the century”. Due to the threat, the president cancelled his planned trip to Germany and Angola.
Hurricane Milton has already hit Florida, leaving more than 2.5 million homes without power and causing widespread flooding.
