LAS VEGAS — Vice President Kamala Harris and officials from the White House have publicly rebuked Donald Trump for his recent comments regarding the federal response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They accused him of trying to exploit the tragic situation for political gain.
During a town hall meeting hosted by Univision in Las Vegas, Harris addressed concerns about the federal government’s disaster recovery efforts. She emphasized the importance of leadership recognizing the dignity of all individuals affected by crises. “This is not a time for people to play politics,” she asserted, stressing the need for unity in the face of disaster.
These remarks followed Trump’s speech at the Detroit Economic Club, where he expressed sympathy for hurricane victims but criticized the Biden administration for its response, particularly in North Carolina after Helene made landfall. He claimed, “They’ve let those people suffer unjustly,” while perpetuating inaccuracies about the federal relief efforts.
Harris participated in a White House briefing with President Joe Biden regarding recovery operations following Hurricane Milton. In comments to the press, Biden condemned Trump and his supporters for spreading misinformation about the assistance available for affected individuals. He criticized their behavior, remarking on its un-American nature, and directly urged Trump to “get a life, man. Help these people.”
Despite the ongoing weather crisis, both Trump and Harris are actively campaigning in crucial swing states as they seek to bolster their appeal among pivotal voting demographics in what is anticipated to be a tight election. While in Michigan, Trump criticized Detroit, claiming the city is “a mess,” and warned that the entire nation could resemble Detroit if Harris were to become president.
Harris quickly countered his remarks, stating that Trump “yet again has trashed another great American city,” highlighting his unfitness for office. Trump’s speech at the Detroit Economic Club reiterated themes from his past campaign, alleging that foreign nations like China are taking advantage of the U.S., and labeled big corporations as having “raped” the country.
He asserted that these countries have taken more than the U.S. ought to accept, leading him to suggest implementing tariffs. However, economists have explained that such tariffs could lead to increased prices for consumers. Trump claimed, without substantiating his statements, that tariffs could help in reducing the national budget deficit and providing childcare funding, although he did not explain how this would work.
There appears to be confusion on Trump’s part regarding economic concepts, as he conflated the national debt and trade deficits. He commented on the federal debt of nearly $36 trillion, incorrectly linking it to the trade deficit with China, which deals with export and import discrepancies.
Additionally, while Trump boasted of high job numbers during his presidency, data shows that Biden’s administration has achieved lower unemployment rates, reaching 3.4% last year—the lowest in fifty years—compared to Trump’s figure prior to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Harris is focusing on building support among Hispanic voters, especially men. After her town hall, she held a rally near Phoenix and announced the formation of a group called “Hombres con Harris,” which aims to engage Latino communities through local events leading up to Election Day.
During the Univision event, a heartbroken attendee shared her story with Harris, prompting a compassionate response from the Vice President regarding legislation aimed at providing pathways to citizenship that has remained unaddressed by Congress.
Border crossings had reached new highs under Biden’s tenure but have recently decreased following an executive order that tightened asylum claims. When asked about taking Biden’s place on the Democratic ticket, Harris described the President’s decision as “courageous,” noting that he urged her to run based on a sense of duty rather than personal gain.
Polls indicate a divided opinion among Hispanic voters concerning who is more adept at economic management, though Trump has an advantage in immigration-related issues. Additionally, while Hispanic women tend to favor Harris on both fronts, Hispanic men show more trust in Trump.
In Arizona, Harris recognized the late Republican Senator John McCain for standing against his party’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Her remarks received enthusiastic applause, especially as she recalled McCain’s resolute “no” during crucial Senate votes.
Harris deviated from her expected campaign rhetoric to urge voters to support a state referendum on abortion rights while also discussing the importance of protecting tribal rights and implementing responsible water policies. “I promise you as president, I will continue to invest in drought resilience,” she vowed.
