President Joe Biden will travel to Florida on Sunday to survey damage from Hurricane Milton, the White House announced on Friday. The storm has left a trail of destruction across the state, killing at least nine people and leaving millions without power. The White House did not provide specific details about Biden’s trip, only stating that he will „visit areas impacted“ by the storm.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, may or may not meet with Biden during his visit. Despite their political differences, Biden has maintained close communication with DeSantis in the past week, even giving the governor his personal phone number ahead of the storm. Biden has assured DeSantis and other officials that they can reach out to him directly for any assistance they may need.
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton has sparked political tensions, with Vice President Kamala Harris and DeSantis exchanging barbs over reports that he declined her call before the storm hit. Meanwhile, Trump and his allies have spread misinformation about the federal government’s response to the disaster, including false claims about aid amounts and emergency response funds being diverted to immigrants.
Biden has condemned the spread of misinformation as „bizarre“ and „un-American,“ calling on Trump and others to stop politicizing the storm and focus on helping those in need. Despite the political rhetoric, Republican governors, including DeSantis, have praised the federal government’s response to the disaster.
This will not be Biden’s first visit to Florida in the wake of a hurricane. Less than two weeks ago, he surveyed damage from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the region. He also visited other states affected by the storm to meet with officials and assess the impact on communities. Biden’s upcoming trip to Florida underscores his commitment to supporting those affected by natural disasters and ensuring a coordinated response to future emergencies.