USA Biden warns of "storm of the century" and misinformation

SDA

9.10.2024 - 23:14

In Florida, the streets are already flooded before the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/AP
In Florida, the streets are already flooded before the arrival of Hurricane Milton. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Keystone

Shortly before the arrival of Hurricane Milton on the west coast of Florida, US President Joe Biden once again issued a clear warning about the strength of the storm. "It looks like the storm of the century," said Biden at a meeting with representatives of important authorities, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema). Biden's deputy and Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, also took part in the briefing, which was broadcast live on television.

Criticism of Trump

The US President also warned against misinformation circulating. In recent weeks, misinformation and lies had been spread in a "reckless, irresponsible and merciless" manner, said Biden. This worried people. Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was at the forefront of this campaign of lies.

Among other things, Trump has spread the conspiracy theory at election rallies in recent days that funds from the Civil Protection Agency would flow to migrants without legal status - with which the Democrats wanted to illegally persuade these people to vote for Harris. Biden called false claims by Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who claimed that the federal government controls the weather, "beyond ridiculous". This has to stop now.

It's not that often that Biden mentions Trump or other politicians by name in his speeches. In less than a month, on November 5, there will be a presidential election in the USA, in which polls suggest a very close race between Harris and Trump. "Milton", currently a level 4 hurricane, is expected to hit the west coast of Florida on Wednesday evening (local time). Just a few days ago, storm "Helene" left devastation in the south-east of the USA and claimed more than 200 lives.

SDA