WATCH: President Biden Contradicts Kamala Harris On Hurricane Relief, Says Gov. DeSantis Is 'Doing A Great Job' After Harris Claimed He Was 'Selfish'

As Vice President Kamala Harris attempts to politicize the hurricane relief efforts by claiming that it's "selfish" for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to not take her calls following the devastation brought about by Hurricane Helene and the expected impact of Hurricane Milton, President Joe Biden seemed to handicap his former running mate's messaging on the topic by explaining to reporters on Tuesday during a briefing at the White House on hurricane response that the Florida governor has been "cooperative."

"The Governor of Florida has been cooperative. He's said he's gotten all that he needs. I talked to him again yesterday, and I said — a — boy — I said I know you're doing a great job," Biden told the media. "It's being all — being done well, we thank you for it, and I literally gave him my personal phone number to call, so I don't know — there was a rough start in some places, but every governor — every governor — from Florida to North Carolina, has been fully cooperative and supportive and acknowledged what this team is doing and they're doing an incredible job. But we got a lot more work to do."

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, the Democratic presidential candidate asserted to reporters on Monday that DeSantis wasn't putting the people first. "People are in desperate need of support right now, and playing political games at this moment in these crisis situations … is just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish," Harris said. "It is about political gamesmanship, instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is to put the people first."

In response to the comment, DeSantis explained during a Fox News interview that this is the first time he's ever received a call from Harris regarding hurricane relief. "I didn't know she tried to contact me. But I'd also say It's not about you, Kamala. It's about the people of Florida," DeSantis explained to Fox & Friends. "I've worked on these hurricanes under both President Trump and President Biden. Neither of them ever tried to politicize it. She has never called on any of the storms we've had since she's been vice president."

"Why all of a sudden is she trying to parachute in and inject herself when she's never showed any interest in the past? We know it's because of politics," the Florida governor said. "Harris is not even in the chain of command. She has no role in this!" In another interview with Sean Hannity on Monday evening, the Republican executive said that the Democratic presidential candidate was "delusional" for claiming that he was being selfish for not including her. "For Kamala Harris to try to say my sole focus on the people of Florida is somehow selfish is delusional," DeSantis said. "She has no role in this, in fact, she's been vice president for three and a half years, I've dealt with a number of storms under this administration, she's never contributed anything to any of these efforts." 

Gov. DeSantis has been working with state and federal officials to manage Hurricane Helene relief and prepare for Hurricane Milton's landfall. The governor held a call with President Biden on Monday evening, with Biden posting to X, "Tonight, I spoke with Florida Governor DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Castor for firsthand reports on Hurricane Helene recovery and preparations for Hurricane Milton. My Administration is ready to support both leaders and the people of Florida with any further resources they may need. I also spoke with National Weather Service Director Ken Graham regarding the expected impacts of Hurricane Milton for the state of Florida. I urge all those in the storm's path to evacuate now while it is safe to do so."

Biden, responding to screaming reporters trying to get him to attack Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with false claims he’s being political about #Milton and not chatting with Vice President Harris:

“The Governor of Florida has been cooperative. He’s said he's gotten all that he… pic.twitter.com/0q5tUxZptQ

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 8, 2024

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