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Jimmy Williams
During a visit to Hurricane Helene-ravaged south Georgia on Monday, former President Donald Trump falsely accused President Joe Biden of ignoring Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s calls for federal assistance. Despite claiming he wasn’t politicizing the disaster, Trump repeatedly stated that Biden was “sleeping” and unresponsive to Kemp’s requests.
“Governor Kemp has been calling the president and hasn’t been able to get him,” Trump asserted shortly after landing in Valdosta. He continued this narrative during an event, even after being told that Kemp had confirmed his recent communication with Biden.
The White House quickly refuted Trump’s claims. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden had indeed spoken to Kemp on Sunday and had offered federal aid. “Governor Kemp confirmed that President Biden asked what Georgia needed for recovery,” said Jean-Pierre. She emphasized that Biden had provided full support for the state’s recovery efforts.
Biden’s homeland security adviser, Liz Sherwood-Randall, also pushed back against Trump’s assertions, saying that Biden had assured Kemp that “anything Georgia needs” would be provided. She added, “The president remains available to Governor Kemp for any additional support.”
Governor Kemp himself confirmed the conversation with Biden, stating, “The president just called me yesterday afternoon… He asked, ‘What do you need?’ I told him we’ve got what we need, and he offered more if needed. I appreciate that.”
Trump’s comments come as natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, which has claimed over 100 lives, are testing leaders’ responses ahead of the November election. Both Georgia and North Carolina, key battleground states, have suffered severe flooding and damage. Trump has used the disaster to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, suggesting she and Biden are politicizing the recovery.
Harris, who cut short a campaign trip to return to Washington, emphasized that the administration is committed to long-term support. “We will stand with these communities for as long as it takes,” Harris said during a campaign stop in Las Vegas.
Trump’s campaign partnered with the Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse to deliver essential supplies, including food, water, and fuel, to areas affected by the hurricane. Katie Watson, a local business owner whose store was destroyed by the storm, praised Trump for visiting the area. “He came here to recognize that this town has been destroyed. It’s a big setback,” Watson said.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s comments highlights the political tensions as both campaigns address natural disasters in the run-up to the election. The White House emphasized that Biden remains fully engaged with the federal response despite spending the weekend in Delaware, receiving briefings and monitoring the situation.
Biden, speaking to reporters on Monday, defended his response to the storm. “I was commanding it,” he said. “I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before. I commanded it. It’s called a telephone.”
With the damage from Hurricane Helene affecting two critical battleground states, the recovery efforts are likely to remain a key issue in the presidential race, as both Biden and Trump seek to demonstrate their leadership in times of crisis.
