Former President Donald Trump continued his campaign in Pennsylvania despite Hurricane Milton making landfall in Florida, causing significant damage. Trump took the opportunity to hurl insults at Vice President Kamala Harris and other women, showing no interest in stopping his attacks even if they turn off female voters. He later refuted the idea that his rhetoric was a problem, claiming that women want to see the country come back regardless. Trump’s campaign has seized on Harris’ response to a question about President Biden as they try to paint her as nothing more than a continuation of Biden’s presidency.
Hurricane Milton has disrupted the campaign just two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast. Trump postponed events while Harris continued with her campaign swing, attending a briefing on the storm before heading to Nevada. The presidential race is overshadowed by fears of catastrophic damage in Tampa and other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Trump continued to attack Harris, calling her “grossly incompetent” and “totally ill-equipped,” as well as insulting hosts from “The View.” Despite criticism, Trump urged the crowd to vote early and emphasized the importance of winning Pennsylvania in order to secure victory.
Both Biden and Harris denounced misinformation surrounding the federal response to Hurricane Helene, including false claims about assistance funding and diversion of resources. They criticized Trump for driving much of the falsehoods that undermine the rescue and recovery efforts. Harris assured Florida residents that once the storm passes, help would be provided to rebuild. The hurricane misinformation has caused confusion and distrust among those in need of help, prompting calls for unity across party lines in the face of natural disasters.
As the hurricane approached Florida, attendees at Trump’s rally expressed mixed feelings about the candidates holding events during such a crisis. Some felt that both politicians were politicking, while others hoped for swift government response and relief for those affected. Trump faced distractions to his campaign, including criminal cases against him, but continued to focus on attacking Harris and pushing for early voting. Despite facing backlash for his rhetoric, Trump remained unfazed and maintained his aggressive stance towards his political opponents.
Campaigning in Arizona, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz emphasized the need for unity across party lines in supporting those impacted by hurricanes. Both campaigns were forced to adjust their schedules and messaging due to the natural disasters, highlighting the challenges of campaigning during a crisis. Trump’s continued attacks on Harris and other women drew criticism, but his supporters remained steadfast in their belief in his leadership. The impact of Hurricane Milton on the campaign underscores the unpredictable nature of politics and the resilience of both candidates in the face of adversity.
