President Joe Biden ignored a reporter on a Delaware beach who asked him about the wildfires in Maui that have left, so far, at least 96 victims.
The complaint was made on ‘X,’ formerly Twitter, by Bloomberg’s White House correspondent Justin Sink, who noted that before going home, Biden did not take questions from reporters by throwing a flippant “no comment” at them.
After a couple hours on the Rehoboth beach, @potus was asked about the rising death toll in Hawaii
“No comment,” he said before heading home pic.twitter.com/Y0UmXirju9
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) August 13, 2023
The slip by Biden, who was seen smiling before leaving Rehoboth Beach, has earned him strong criticism not only among Republicans but also from Democratic allies.
For example, former Hawaii state legislator Mark Kaniela Ing, a Democrat and current national director of the Green New Deal Network, questioned Biden’s comment and his refusal to send a message to the families of the victims and citizens of Hawaii.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kaniela Ing said Biden’s attitude was “shocking” and out of line before questioning the federal government’s response to the deadly Maui fires.
There were also much harsher opinions about Biden’s words, for example, from Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), who wrote on ‘X’ and urged the president to put his vacation aside and do his job.
“Unless it’s Rehoboth Beach, Biden doesn’t care. Fold up the damn beach chair and do your job,” Mast wrote.
Unless it’s Rehoboth Beach, Biden doesn’t care. Fold up the damn beach chair and do your job. https://t.co/VzhOSgT2nQ
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) August 14, 2023
Conservative editor Stephen Miller also criticized Biden after the controversial comment, pointing to his repeated vacations to Delaware.
“He just came back from a 14-day beach vacation. Spent 4 days in DC, now is back on the beach, and has no comment for wildfires that wiped out entire communities. Just incredible stuff,” wrote the well-known author on ‘X.’
$700 for Hawaiians
Amid criticism for his flippant beach comment, President Biden made a series of announcements about the tragedy in Maui, including federal government aid for survivors of the wildfire disaster.
“We’re laser-focused on getting aid to survivors, including Critical Needs Assistance: a one-time $700 payment per household offering relief during an unimaginably difficult time. We have staff on the ground dedicated to helping survivors navigate the registration process,” Biden said.
To critics, however, the amount is laughable compared to the aid the federal government provides to, for example, Ukraine, currently at war against Russia.
“Biden can afford to give Ukraine over $100 billion dollars ($100,000,000,000), but if you’re a resident of Maui whose house burned down, you’re getting $700. Don’t spend it all in one place,” conservative activist Ian Miles Cheong wrote.
Biden can afford to give Ukraine over $100 billion dollars ($100,000,000,000), but if you're a resident of Maui whose house burned down, you're getting $700. Don't spend it all in one place. pic.twitter.com/6Xi4C5k1qE
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) August 14, 2023
