The political storm surrounding Hurricane Helene continues to rage as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepare to visit areas devastated by the natural disaster on Wednesday. Their visit comes after Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump launched a series of attacks, accusing the Democratic leaders of neglecting their duties while the country faced the hurricane’s aftermath. Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House, visited hurricane-stricken areas on Monday and promised to deliver “lots of relief material,” including fuel, equipment, water, and other necessities. However, he turned the event into a political spectacle, baselessly accusing the US government of ignoring the crisis and withholding aid from his supporters. He went so far as to claim that Biden was “sleeping” at his Delaware beach home while Harris was attending campaign fundraisers on the US West Coast.
Biden responded to Trump’s accusations on Monday, calling them lies and stating that North Carolina Governor Ray Cooper had confirmed their falsity. “I don’t know why he does it… that’s simply not true, and it’s irresponsible,” Biden asserted. On Wednesday, Biden will travel to North Carolina, where he will take a helicopter to inspect the flood-hit city of Asheville, one of the hardest hit areas by the storm’s deadly impact on the southeastern United States. He will also visit a rescue command center in the state, where over 70 lives were lost, before continuing to neighboring South Carolina. Meanwhile, Harris will embark on a separate trip to the southern state of Georgia, which also experienced significant devastation from the storm. North Carolina and Georgia are among the seven crucial swing states that could determine the outcome of the upcoming election.
Biden clarified that his earlier inability to travel was due to rescue workers’ concerns that his visit would disrupt their operations. “My top priority is to ensure the communities devastated by this hurricane get the help and support they need as quickly as possible,” Biden assured reporters on Tuesday, adding that he would also be visiting Florida and Georgia in the coming days. The political controversy surrounding Helene arises as Biden and Harris grapple with a multitude of crises just over a month before the highly anticipated 2024 US presidential election. Officials have reported that Helene has caused at least 155 fatalities, with an additional 600 individuals unaccounted for across several states. Beyond the hurricane relief efforts, Biden and Harris are also facing Iranian missile attacks on Israel, further escalating tensions in West Asia. The White House is also trying to resolve a strike by US dockworkers, which poses a threat to the economy. The convergence of these crises has sparked discussions about a potential “October surprise,” an unexpected event that could significantly influence the election.
The political landscape surrounding Hurricane Helene remains volatile, further complicating Biden and Harris’ already challenging path towards the 2024 election. The storm’s devastating impact on the United States, coupled with the ongoing international and domestic crises, creates a complex and uncertain environment as the country prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
