So, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden took to the airwaves with a heartfelt video message to those hit hard by Hurricane Helene, saying, “We grieve with you” and assuring that “the nation has your back.” Well, that’s nice and all, but it’s hard not to hear that and think, is that really true? Because when it comes to how the Biden administration actually handles disaster relief, it sure seems like their actions don’t match their words.
The Bidens claim that FEMA is out there, knocking on doors and signing people up for direct financial aid “because many of them need it now.” Sounds great, right? Except for the fact that this administration’s record on actually delivering that aid has been spotty at best. Remember, FEMA admitted that their funds were running short before Hurricane Milton even arrived. And what was part of the reason for that shortfall? Redirected resources to address the surge of illegal immigration, according to multiple reports. But sure, let’s keep pretending that every penny is going directly to those devastated by the hurricane.
During this PR stunt, Biden assures us that his team is there “24/7 with you, until this job is done.” But that’s a pretty bold promise from a president whose administration can barely keep up with the crises it already has on its hands. When Helene hit Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, there was talk of “surging” federal aid to the region. Yet, as hundreds of people remain missing and recovery efforts drag on, many are left wondering: where exactly is all this help? It’s the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina, and yet the government’s response has felt like too little, too late.
And speaking of PR disasters, Karine Jean-Pierre had a real rough time in the briefing room, courtesy of Peter Doocy. Wearing an oversized suit coat that looked like it came straight off a discount rack, she tried to fend off questions about the administration’s spending priorities. Doocy pressed her on how the White House found money to send to Lebanon while claiming they needed Congress to authorize more aid for hurricane victims here at home. And instead of answering directly, Jean-Pierre went into full defensive mode, calling his questions “misinformation.” Oh, please. Since when is it misinformation to ask where American taxpayer dollars are going?
Do you mean this misinformation???
KJP 2024: FEMA relief is not used on illegals
KJP 2022: FEMA relief is used on illegalspic.twitter.com/WJ9Jr8NnLr— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) October 6, 2024
She tried to spin it as some noble effort to combat dangerous rhetoric, but that just sounds like a convenient way to avoid answering uncomfortable questions. It’s a classic play from this administration: deflect, dodge, and then label anything they don’t like as “misinformation.” But people aren’t falling for it anymore. They see the funds going overseas while folks in the Carolinas and Florida are left waiting for relief. And let’s be real—if asking about where that money is going makes the Biden administration squirm, that’s probably a sign that something’s not quite right.
And let’s not forget Jean-Pierre’s insinuation that tough questions could somehow scare people into not asking for help. Give me a break. Since when did pressing for transparency become a threat to disaster victims? The real issue is that people are tired of being told to just trust the process while they wait for meaningful support. They see the gaps between the promises made on TV and the reality on the ground. And you’d think the White House press secretary could understand that frustration instead of dismissing it.
Must watch TV as the Press Briefing leads to KJP storming out
Peter Doocy & KJP get heated over Biden sending money to Lebanon without Congressional approval but refusing to do so for North Carolina.
Doocy: “You can’t call a question you don’t like misinformation.” pic.twitter.com/4kgaVqW0s0
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) October 7, 2024
Americans deserve straightforward answers—especially those hit hard by disasters. They want to know why their government seems more interested in scoring points overseas than taking care of its own citizens first. They’re not interested in more canned lines about “misinformation” when they see the glaring inconsistencies right in front of them. Maybe instead of dressing up in oversized jackets and dancing around questions, Jean-Pierre and the rest of the administration could try something new: accountability.
But instead, it falls on people like Doocy to ask the tough questions, and that says a lot about the state of journalism in Washington these days. While most of the press corps is busy throwing softballs, he’s the only one calling out the blatant contradictions. If only the administration put as much effort into disaster relief as they do into dodging scrutiny, maybe those affected by Hurricane Helene wouldn’t feel like they’re being left out in the cold.
