Donald Trump Jr. took a sharp jab at the Biden-Harris administration’s sluggish response to Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the U.S. Southeast and left over 600,000 residents in North Carolina without power. In a biting tweet, Trump Jr. said, “Maybe if North Carolina identified as Ukraine, some of its incredible people would actually get some attention, resources, and much-needed funding for themselves in their time of need,” mocking the administration for prioritizing international aid over domestic disasters.
Instead of visiting the hurricane-ravaged state, Harris traveled to California this weekend for a political fundraiser. She reportedly raised $55,0000 during that event.
Vice President Kamala Harris is facing mounting pressure to visit the states hit hardest by the storm, as former President Donald Trump’s campaign has already announced his plans to visit storm-battered Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday. Trump’s visit comes amid a sharp critique of the Biden administration’s handling of the hurricane. Trump accused the president of “sleeping” at his beach house while communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond grappled with nearly 100 deaths and widespread destruction caused by the storm.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida late last Thursday before sweeping into Georgia and affecting several other states, including North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Entire towns have been flooded, and countless homes and businesses have been destroyed. Yet, many feel that the federal government’s response has been slow, leaving local residents to fend for themselves.
Adding fuel to the fire, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also weighed in, criticizing President Biden’s lack of leadership.
DeSantis, who has been at the forefront of his state’s recovery efforts, stated, “While people are out here losing their homes and their lives, where is the leadership? The federal government needs to step up.” DeSantis has been highly visible in Florida’s hurricane recovery efforts, contrasting Biden’s absence and lack of direct action.
With Trump already planning to tour the storm-ravaged areas, the pressure is on Harris to make her presence felt, as the Biden administration’s handling of this disaster comes under heavy scrutiny from both political figures and citizens still waiting for relief.