Harris makes impromptu call into CNN, says Trump’s hurricane comments 'dangerous'

Vice President Harris called into CNN on Wednesday to talk about Hurricane Milton, which is approaching Florida, and slammed former President Trump's comments about the federal government's response to the recent storm.

Harris told CNN's Dana Bash: “It's frankly outrageous that people who think of themselves as leaders can mislead desperate people and prevent those desperate people from getting the help they deserve.'' It is dangerous and unconscionable.”

“We all know it's dangerous and the gamesmanship has to stop. Politics has to end at some point, especially in moments of crisis,” she continued. Ta.

Harris added: “The last thing they need is their so-called leader scaring them even more than they already are.”

President Trump expands on his claims that the government is diverting disaster relief funds to aid immigrants, saying people affected by Hurricane Helen only received $750 in aid, and in North Carolina after the storm. They share other false claims, including that there are no helicopters available to rescue them. .

Harris said on CNN that she spoke with local officials who fight misinformation, but did not know whether they were Republicans or Democrats.

“Let's let the people on the ground do the work they need to do in real time. It's important to support evacuations, communicate the right information, fight misinformation, and put the necessary resources in place,” she said. said. It is hoped that the foreseeable damage will be reduced. ”

Asked whether Congress should return to Washington to pass more funding for disaster relief, Harris cited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and said, “FEMA is doing what we need right now. I have it,” he replied.

He said the federal government expects Hurricane Milton to be “catastrophic and deadly.” The life-threatening hurricane is expected to make landfall Wednesday night, with authorities calling for mass evacuations.

Harris has not made an impromptu phone call to a major news network since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. She also called into the Weather Channel on Wednesday.

The vice president is currently on a media blitz in New York, taking part in interviews on ABC's “The View,” radio host Howard Stern and “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” on Tuesday.

President Biden earlier Wednesday accused Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) of spreading claims about the hurricanes that are “irresponsible” and “beyond ridiculous.”

“We can control the weather,” Greene wrote on social platform X last week as states were dealing with the effects of Hurricane Helen, which hit the southeastern United States late last month.

For days, the White House and officials in affected states have been trying to push back on misinformation surrounding the hurricane response. The Biden administration has launched a fact sheet and Reddit page aimed at sharing facts about the response.

Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina, who represents the district affected by Helen, said:A press release has been postedTuesday debunks eight “myths” about the storm response, including multiple claims shared by President Trump.