Former President Trump accuses Biden of ignoring Georgia’s hurricane recovery efforts, while officials confirm direct communication and support.
Trump visits hurricane-ravaged Georgia, falsely claiming Biden ignored Governor Kemp’s calls for help. Officials refute the claims, confirming Biden’s support for recovery efforts.
Former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. During his visit, Trump falsely claimed that Governor Brian Kemp was unable to reach President Joe Biden for critical storm relief, accusing the current president of being unresponsive during the crisis. However, Governor Kemp and White House officials swiftly refuted Trump’s claims, clarifying that the president had been in contact with the governor and had offered full federal support.
Trump’s False Claims in Valdosta
Standing in front of a furniture store destroyed by Hurricane Helene, Trump alleged that Georgia’s governor had tried, unsuccessfully, to reach President Biden, only to find him “sleeping.” According to Trump, Kemp had been “calling the president and hasn’t been able to get him.”
These claims were quickly debunked by Governor Kemp himself, who clarified that he had spoken to Biden just the day before. Kemp stated that while he had been playing phone tag with Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden had called him personally and offered any resources Georgia needed for recovery efforts.
Kemp added, “The president just called me yesterday afternoon. He said, ‘What do you need?’ and offered to provide additional assistance as needed. I appreciate that support.”
White House Response
During Monday’s White House press briefing, Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall addressed Trump’s remarks, reiterating the administration’s commitment to Georgia’s recovery. She said the president had offered Kemp “anything Georgia needs” in terms of disaster response. “If the governor would like to speak to the president again, of course, the president will take his call,” Sherwood-Randall emphasized.
Later in the day, Biden expressed his frustration with Trump’s false narrative, calling it “irresponsible.” When a reporter asked him about Trump’s comments, Biden responded, “He’s lying, and the governor told him he’s lying. I’ve spoken to the governor, and he told him he’s lying.”
Trump’s Visit with Evangelist Franklin Graham
Trump’s visit to Valdosta was accompanied by evangelist Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Graham has a history of providing relief in disaster-stricken areas, but the specific resources Trump mentioned during his speech remained vague. He mentioned “many wagons of resources” being brought to the area, including a tanker of gasoline and some water, but did not provide further details.
Graham’s organization has sent chaplains to areas affected by the storm, offering spiritual support to victims of Hurricane Helene. However, the group did not comment on Trump’s claims about Biden.
Impact of Hurricane Helene in Georgia
Hurricane Helene caused extensive destruction across southern Georgia, leaving at least 25 people dead and causing widespread power outages. At the peak of the storm’s damage, more than 1.3 million Georgians were without electricity, and as of Monday, nearly 500,000 homes and businesses remained without power.
Governor Kemp, speaking from a briefing in Augusta before Trump’s arrival, outlined the state’s efforts to recover from the hurricane. He stressed that federal support had been mobilized and that coordination between state and federal agencies was ongoing. “We are still assessing the full scope of the damage,” Kemp said, “but we’ve got the resources we need to keep recovery moving.”
Biden Administration’s Response
Vice President Kamala Harris canceled events on Monday to focus on the hurricane response. Harris received a briefing from FEMA in Washington, D.C., where she discussed ongoing relief efforts for Georgia and other states affected by Hurricane Helene.
“President Biden and I are committed to ensuring that no community or state has to face this disaster alone,” Harris said in a statement. “Federal personnel are on the ground, and we have made critical resources like food, water, and generators available. We’ve also approved emergency declarations for Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.”
Looking Forward
The misinformation surrounding Trump’s visit highlights the ongoing political friction between the former president and the current administration. While Trump’s accusations may resonate with some of his supporters, the facts indicate that Biden has been actively involved in Georgia’s recovery efforts.
As the state continues to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, federal, state, and local authorities are working together to restore power, provide relief to affected families, and rebuild damaged infrastructure. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments of the hurricane’s impact, but officials are confident that the state will overcome the challenges posed by this disaster.