President Biden on Wednesday called former President Trump’s claims about Hurricane Milton hitting Florida “un-American” and said he should stop spreading disinformation about the government's response.
“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 said in remarks from the White House about the severe weather, his second of the day.
"It's undermining confidence in the people in Florida and incredible rescue and recovery work that’s been undertaken,” Biden said.
“It’s harmful to those who most need the help. Quite frankly these lies are un-American,” Biden said. “And there’s simply no place for them, not now, not ever.”
The president repeated one claim Trump has raised that the government is diverting disaster response funds to aid migrants.
“What the heck are they talking about? Stop it, its outrageous, it’s just not true,” Biden said about funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency being diverted.
He also criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who wrote on the social platform X last week, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, “yes they can control the weather.”
“It’s beyond ridiculous, it’s so stupid. It’s got to stop,” he said.
It's the second time Wednesday that Biden has used the bully pulpit to go after Trump and Greene over the issue.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida this evening with maximum wind speeds of 120 mph. Federal, state and local officials have offered increasing warnings about its potential impact.
Biden outlined that evacuating certain areas at this point is probably difficult, and encouraged people to look for safer shelter. He also said he approved an emergency declaration for Florida and that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pre-positioned search and rescue teams, helicopters, and high-water vehicles close to impacted areas to help.
The president also said he will deploy active-duty military if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) asks for the help. He said DeSantis has been “very gracious” and thankful for the federal response in previous conversations.
