In the midst of Florida’s ongoing hurricane season, political tensions have escalated as Governor Ron DeSantis (R) denies receiving calls from Vice President Kamala Harris. This denial comes amidst the state’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and preparations for the impending Hurricane Milton.
During a press conference addressing the approaching Hurricane Milton, DeSantis asserted that he was unaware of any calls made by Harris. “I didn’t know she called me. … I was not aware of that,” he stated. An aide to DeSantis, as reported by NBC News, suggested that the calls “seemed political.” While denying conversations with President Joe Biden, DeSantis expressed gratitude for the President’s approval of their requests for federal aid. “If there’s something we need that they don’t approve, I will not hesitate to call him,” he added.
Responding to DeSantis’s claims, Vice President Harris criticized the politicization of emergency situations. “Playing political games with this moment, in these crisis situations, these are the height of emergency situations, [is] utterly irresponsible,” she said. This incident marks a continuation of the political friction between DeSantis and Harris. In July 2023, DeSantis accused Harris of creating “phony narratives” over Florida’s controversial slavery curriculum.
As Florida grapples with the consequences of Hurricane Helene and prepares for the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, the state faces its second major storm in less than two weeks. Various sectors, including theme parks and insurance companies, are bracing for the effects of the storm.
