Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) accused Vice President Harris of trying to get involved in the Hurricane Milton cleanup effort after the two men exchanged expletives about Hurricane Milton this week.
CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin reports on Harris' exchange with the vice president after he accused DeSantis of playing politics by not answering calls to talk about Hurricanes Helen and Milton. I asked about it.
DeSantis responded that he is working with President Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director DeAnne Criswell, adding that he has worked directly with the president during past storms.
“I didn't even know she was trying to contact me, but she has no role in this process. And I've been dealing with these storms in Florida. [former President] Trump and Biden. Neither of them politicized it. And in fact, in all the storms I've dealt with under this administration, and I've worked well with the president, the president has never been in Florida. She never offered any assistance,” DeSantis told CNBC.
He added, “So what she's doing is trying to inject herself into this issue for a political campaign.” So as a governor leading this, I don't have time for those games. I'm not interested in her campaign. Obviously, I'm not a supporter of hers. ”
Biden and DeSantis spoke early Thursday about Hurricane Milton, which made landfall late Wednesday. DeSantis thanked Biden for the federal government's massive support for storm preparedness and response, the White House said. Criswell also joined in the call.
Harris criticized DeSantis on Monday as “selfish” amid reports that the governor did not return her phone calls, but DeSantis fired back Tuesday, saying that because she is the Democratic nominee for the White House, “parachuting” He suggested that the aircraft was about to descend.
DeSantis said this week that it was “delusional” to accuse Harris of “political gamesmanship” while communicating with Biden.
Asked Wednesday night whether DeSantis should take Harris' call, Biden emphasized communication with the governor.
“All I can say is that I spoke with Governor DeSantis and he was very kind to me. He thanked me for everything we've done. I know what I’m doing and I think that’s important,” Biden said.
