Former President Donald Trump offered his prayers to those in the path of Hurricane Milton in Florida, while also insulting his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump continued to campaign in Pennsylvania, despite concerns over the storm causing catastrophic damage in Tampa. He lobbed personal insults at Harris and other women, saying he had no interest in changing his tone, even if it turned off female voters. The president also postponed campaign events focused on healthcare and immigration due to the storm.
Hurricane Milton disrupted the campaign just two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeast. Both Biden and Harris denounced misinformation and disinformation surrounding the federal response to Helene, including false claims about funding being diverted away from Republican-heavy areas. Biden called for an end to the spread of false rumors and praised the work of the Federal Emergency Management Agency director. Harris discussed the expected historic impact of Hurricane Milton and promised to help with rebuilding efforts after the storm passes.
Trump continued to attack Harris during his campaign events in Scranton and Reading, Pennsylvania. He criticized Harris for not offering a clear response on how her administration would differ from Biden’s. The former president also reacted to reports in Bob Woodward’s new book that alleged he sent COVID-19 test kits to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2020. Harris condemned this action, questioning the priorities of sending test kits to Putin over American citizens in need.
As the storm approached, Biden postponed a trip to Germany and Angola. Harris spent time in New York taping interviews and failed to name significant differences between her proposed administration and Biden’s. Trump and his campaign seized on this, highlighting her statements that she would not have done anything different than Biden. Harris also criticized Trump for allegedly sending COVID-19 test kits to Putin, implying misplaced priorities and a lack of focus on American citizens in need.
Hurricane Milton threatened Florida while the campaign continued to ramp up in battleground states like Pennsylvania. Both campaigns were cautious about the impact of the storm and focused on providing support and assistance to those in the hurricane’s path. Despite the distractions caused by the storm, both Trump and Harris continued to criticize and attack each other on various issues, trying to sway undecided voters with their arguments and criticisms.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, both campaigns focused on providing aid and assistance to those impacted by the storm. Biden and Harris condemned the spread of misinformation surrounding the response to the hurricane and called for unity and support for those affected. Trump continued to campaign aggressively, attacking Harris and other women while facing criticism for his priorities during his presidency. The candidates prepared for upcoming events and continued to address the ongoing threats and challenges facing the country.
