Even before Hurricane Milton reached Florida, political tensions surrounding the storm were brewing. With the presidential election nearing, the storm became a focal point for both campaigns, leading to a clash between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Storm Politics Unfold Early
Typically, the political fallout of hurricanes surfaces after the storm subsides. However, this time, the battle began early, partly because Trump seized on Hurricane Helene the previous week to criticize the Biden administration. Trump’s focus on exploiting natural disasters for political gain sets the stage for him to use Milton as another platform for misinformation.
For Vice President Harris, this storm presents a critical test. It offers her an opportunity to show empathy and competence in managing the federal response. However, any missteps could be costly, especially with Trump poised to attack any perceived failure, regardless of the actual outcome.
Harris attempted to pre-empt Trump’s narrative by addressing the media, warning of misinformation and reinforcing that the storm response is not a political issue. She reiterated this point in an appearance on ABC’s The View, positioning herself as focused on the people, unlike Trump, whom she criticized for making it about himself.
Government’s Message and Trump’s Tactics
Federal officials backed Harris’ message, with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing concern that Trump’s rhetoric could cause undue fear. The White House also moved to counter false information by setting up a presence on Reddit, a platform often used for rapid information dissemination.
Meanwhile, Trump continued his attacks, accusing Harris of mishandling disaster relief and claiming, falsely, that the government couldn’t aid storm victims due to resources being allocated to undocumented migrants. Despite being debunked by Republican officials, Trump’s narrative persists, aiming to sway voters who might not follow the details but are left with a negative impression of the administration.
Biden’s Focus on Leadership
President Joe Biden postponed a foreign trip to manage the storm response, underscoring the urgency of the situation. With his term nearing its end, Biden’s focus is on ensuring the safety of Americans and avoiding any political pitfalls that could tarnish his administration’s legacy.
Trump, unburdened by the responsibilities of incumbency, leverages the storm to criticize Biden and Harris without being held accountable for his own past mismanagement of disaster relief efforts, as Harris’ campaign reminded voters in a new ad.
Storm Politics: A Familiar Pattern
Memories of past hurricanes loom large in storm politics. The mishandling of Hurricane Katrina damaged President George W. Bush’s second term, while President Obama’s effective response to Superstorm Sandy aided his re-election. In a similar vein, the aftermath of Hurricane Milton could become a key factor in the political futures of Harris, Biden, and Trump.
As Hurricane Milton makes landfall, the political storm surrounding it will only intensify, with both sides vying for control of the narrative.
