President Joe Biden on Thursday delivered a sharp rebuke of Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response.
While speaking on Hurricane Milton at the White House, Biden was asked if he’s spoken to Trump directly.
“Are you kidding me?” Biden responded. “Mr. President Trump, former President Trump, get a life, man. Help these people.”
As a result of such misinformation, Biden said, responders on the ground aiding victims are facing threats.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, too, said he was concerned about individuals involved in the recovery efforts being targeted online.
“We are seeing horrific hate speech of all types, propagated on online platforms. That deplorable speech has an impact on people’s lives. And it is also a motivating force for people to do harm. And it has got to stop,” Mayorkas said to ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce during Thursday’s White House press briefing.
The White House and other administration officials are forcefully pushing back on false claims about FEMA aid for storm victims. Among the rampant rumors are that people can only receive $750, that FEMA funding is going toward migrants instead of victims and that people’s property will be seized — all of which officials stress are not true.
Biden was asked by a reporter if he would do anything to try to hold Trump accountable, after Biden pledged on Thursday to go after those who seek to take advantage of victims through price-gouging or scamming.
“The public will hold him accountable,” Biden said. “You better — the press — hold him accountable because you know the truth.”
Biden tells Trump ‘get a life’ over hurricane misinformation – ABC News (go.com)