Hurricane Milton: Ron DeSantis snubs Harris, speaks to Biden

The tension between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Vice President Kamala Harris has been escalating, with hurricane response at the centre of the latest clash. While DeSantis refused Harris’s calls after Hurricane Helene, he did speak with President Joe Biden to discuss the ongoing recovery efforts and the preparation for Hurricane Milton. The White House press team confirmed that Biden and DeSantis had communicated, along with Tampa’s mayor, to ensure the state received all necessary support.

Vice President Harris had attempted multiple times to reach DeSantis, yet the governor claimed he was unaware of these efforts. When Biden visited Florida to survey the damage, DeSantis declined to join him, opting instead to hold his own press event elsewhere. Harris later criticised DeSantis for prioritising politics over leadership in a crisis, emphasising that such moments demand setting aside political gamesmanship.

DeSantis, however, fired back, asserting that Harris had no role in the disaster response and accused her of inserting herself for political gain, given her campaign for the White House. He also mentioned his cooperation with President Biden and federal agencies, expressing gratitude for the federal support received so far.

This feud has further highlighted the politicisation of disaster management, with experts warning that such political manoeuvring can hinder effective response. Former President Donald Trump has also contributed to the tension by spreading misinformation about the federal response, prompting rebuttals from both FEMA and local officials. Despite the political back-and-forth, the Biden administration assured that all resources were being deployed to assist Florida in the face of Hurricane Milton, regardless of the political dynamics.