"Over the past few weeks, there has been a reckless, irresponsible, and relentless spread of misinformation and blatant lies about what is happening," declared the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to the press, emphasizing how these lies are currently endangering people preparing for the impact of Milton in Florida, as reported by Efe.
Biden stated on Wednesday that his predecessor and Republican candidate for the November elections, Donald Trump, is spreading lies about hurricanes that are "anti-American" and go against the country's values.
"Frankly, these lies are anti-American, and there is simply no place for them, not now, not ever. Former President Trump has led this onslaught of lies," Biden asserted.
Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, have made accusations in recent weeks that have been repeatedly refuted by local, state, and federal authorities in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, which left over 230 dead in its path, and by Milton, which made landfall in Florida on Wednesday night.
Among other things, Trump has falsely claimed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not have funds to support those affected by both hurricanes because the money has been spent on helping migrants arriving in the US.
He has also said that helicopters have not been used to rescue victims in North Carolina and claimed that FEMA told victims they would only receive $750.
"They are saying that those affected by these storms have received $750 in cash and nothing more. That is not true. They say the money needed for these crises is being diverted to migrants. What the hell are they talking about? Enough. It's not true," emphasized Biden.
The president also criticized far-right Georgia lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene for writing on social media that "they" can control the weather, without specifying who she is referring to but alluding to the federal government.
"We are controlling the weather. That is beyond ridiculous. It's so stupid that it has to stop," he stated.
The president argued that these lies are causing moral issues among emergency personnel and Americans who are currently preparing for Milton's arrival in Florida, where the first tornadoes have already occurred.
According to the latest information from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the US, the hurricane has weakened and dropped from a category 4 to 3, with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour (205 kilometers), heading towards the west coast of Florida, where it made landfall.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned of the potentially catastrophic impact, and Biden suggested it could be "the storm of the century."