Earth Science News
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Biden slams Trump for 'onslaught of lies' over hurricanes
Biden slams Trump for 'onslaught of lies' over hurricanes
By Danny KEMP
Washington (AFP) Oct 9, 2024

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday accused Donald Trump of unleashing an "onslaught of lies" over the government's response to Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

Biden warned that Milton, which is barreling towards Florida, was "looking like the storm of the century" and said misinformation could harm people who need help.

"There's been a reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies," Biden told a briefing at the White House as the monster storm barreled towards Florida.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, "has led the onslaught of lies," said Biden, who was joined virtually in the briefing by Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate battling Trump in November's election.

Biden said the disinformation was "undermining confidence" in rescue and recovery work and it was "harmful to those who need help the most."

Trump and Republicans have been pushing false claims over the storms, targeting in particular the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"Assertions have been made that property is being confiscated. That's simply not true. They're saying people impacted by these storms will receive $750 in cash and no more. That's simply not true," said Biden.

"They're saying the money needed for this crisis is being diverted to migrants. What a ridiculous thing to say. It's not true."

Biden also slammed the "even more bizarre" claims being promoted by pro-Trump Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Greene was "saying the federal government is literally controlling the weather... It's beyond ridiculous. It's got to stop."

Biden repeated his warnings that Florida residents in the affected areas should evacuate immediately: "It's literally a matter of life and death."

Harris -- who joined the briefing virtually from New York where she has been on an election media blitz -- promised to crack down on any traders gouging prices of food, fuel and accommodation as Milton approaches.

"Anyone taking advantage of consumers will be held accountable," Harris told the briefing.

Harris also echoed Biden's criticisms of Trump in a separate telephone interview with CNN.

"It is dangerous, it is unconscionable, frankly, that anyone who'd consider themselves a leader would mislead desperate people to the point that those desperate people would not receive the aid to which they are entitled," she said.

"We all know it's dangerous, and the gamesmanship has to stop."

Biden postponed a trip to Germany and Angola on Tuesday and has been heavily promoting the White House's efforts in recent days for both Milton and the response to Helene, which killed more than 230 people across the southeastern United States.

Biden and Harris were stung by criticism of their initial response to Hurricane Helene, when the president spent the weekend working from his beach house and the vice president was at an election fundraiser on the US west coast.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Paying out disaster relief before climate catastrophe strikes
Paris (AFP) Oct 9, 2024
Beyond the complex byways of international finance, a simple solution is gaining ground to protect populations caught in the path of destructive extreme weather: transfer a little money via their mobile phones before disaster strikes. Faced with a flood, superstorm or mega-fire, "the earlier you get the money, the better", Ranil Dissanayake, a researcher at the Center for Global Development, told AFP. "Recipients can use the cash to prepare dwellings, stockpile food, or temporarily move to areas exp ... read more

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Biden slams Trump for 'onslaught of lies' over hurricanes

'Evacuate now, now, now': Florida braces for next hurricane

Tearful Turkish-Lebanese evacuate Lebanon by sea

Paying out disaster relief before climate catastrophe strikes

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
New 3D printing technique creates unique objects quickly and with less waste

Research explores machine learning to design custom composite materials

Irvine team reveal atomic-scale grain rotation mechanism in polycrystalline materials

Space-made aluminium weld analyzed at ESA lab

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
US finalizes rule to remove lead pipes within a decade

Loss of lake ice threatens global ecosystems and communities

New tool developed to enhance marine energy project design

EU to bar large fishing boats from Bay of Biscay over dolphin risks

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Scientists predict rising CO2 emissions from Arctic rocks due to global warming

Study links climate change to explosive methane release in Siberian permafrost

Unique polar light conditions may promote biodiversity through hybridization

Atmospheric shifts slow Greenland's largest glacier melting

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Sardinia's sheep farmers battle bluetongue as climate warms

China slaps provisional tariffs on EU brandy imports

With EU funding, Tunisian farmer revives parched village

How climate funds helped Peru's women beekeepers stay afloat

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
S.Sudan floods affect 893,000, over 241,000 displaced: UN

At least 10 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared

Chad issues warning ahead of more devastating floods

Hurricane Milton makes landfall, walloping coast of Florida

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Fear and anger: Lebanese in West Africa live war vicariously

Air strikes in Khartoum as Sudan army attacks paramilitary positions

Disappeared Guinea colonel announced dead: lawyer

Mali tries top former officials over presidential jet purchase

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Trumpet star Marsalis says jazz creates 'balance' in divided world

Can we 'recharge' our cells?

Swiss prosecutor asks one person be held over suicide pod use

Undiscovered Neolithic society sheds light on early Mediterranean history

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.