Vice President Kamala Harris is catching some heat, and this time the criticism isn’t coming from the media elite but from average Americans on social media, who are less than thrilled with her tepid response to Hurricane Helene. The storm made landfall as a ferocious Category 4 in Florida’s Big Bend region, resulting in significant damage and tragically claiming lives, especially in areas like Asheville, North Carolina, where the destruction left many residents mourning and scrambling for help.
While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was busy taking swift action to restore power and clear roads, Harris apparently decided to take a more relaxed approach—maybe indulging in a freshly brewed latte instead of coordinating with FEMA. The disaster left communities reeling, and yet the big question remains: where was the Biden-Harris duo during this catastrophe? The response to Helene seems to be falling in line with their previous track record of disaster response, which isn’t exactly commendable.
Kamala Harris Blasted for Hurricane Helene Response: 'AWOL,' 'Pitiful' https://t.co/KrskRWkaAW
— 🇺🇸The REAL Lady De’Plorable🇺🇸 (@LadyRedWave) September 30, 2024
Critics quickly highlighted the disparity between the actions of the Biden administration and the preparations many states put in place ahead of the hurricane. In the face of catastrophic events like this, the administration appears to be perpetually MIA. Social media users wasted no time in questioning Harris’ commitment, pointing out the growing list of locations—the likes of Asheville, East Palestine, and Lahaina—where their leadership just never seems to show up when it’s needed the most. It’s almost as if disaster zones have become a no-fly zone for the Vice President and her team.
Harris attempted to show she was engaged by posting a photo of herself on X, supposedly making a call to discuss recovery efforts. Unfortunately, the staged snapshot backfired spectacularly when eagle-eyed users noticed her headphones were disconnected from the phone. The image slammed into the realm of the absurd, leading people to wonder if she was even in the same universe as reality. In a flurry of mockery, commenters echoed the sentiments of frustrated citizens—what exactly was she doing while local officials and citizens rolled up their sleeves to pick up the pieces?
Even former President Donald Trump chimed in, vocally critiquing Harris’ absence when she should be on the frontlines. Instead of dealing with a national crisis, she was reportedly busy attending fundraising events in San Francisco, a city she has left in utter disarray. Trump, in stark contrast, promised to visit the ravaged areas personally and provide on-the-ground support—something that’s becoming eerily reminiscent of his handling of the East Palestine derailment, where he showed up before anyone in the Biden administration even acknowledged the issue.
With Trump gearing up to distribute relief supplies and speak directly to the victims of the hurricane, the disconnect between the efforts of real leaders and the current administration’s lackadaisical attitude could not be clearer. As America watches the fallout from Hurricane Helene, the question looms large: when will Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take disaster response seriously instead of treating it like another item on their never-ending to-do list that’s perpetually pushed to the bottom?