Joe Biden mumbled through a public update on Hurricane Milton response as he awkwardly ended the briefing with an attack against his predecessor and a joke about the Israeli-Hamas War.
The president told Donald Trump to ‘get a life’ as he spent the quick briefing slamming the former president and his allies for spreading disinformation about the federal government’s response to the concurrent storms.
‘It’s bizarre,’ Biden said of claims online that FEMA is only giving $750 in aid and will try to seize Americans’ land if they reach out to the government for relief.
As the president wrapped the briefing, he was asked if he has spoken with Trump.
‘Are you kidding me?’ the 81-year-old chuckled awkwardly.
He then delivered a message to the former president: ‘Mr. President Trump, former President Trump – get a life man, help these people.’
As he began to walk out of the room Biden stopped in his tracks and abruptly turned around when asked if he plans to hold the 2024 Republican nominee accountable for spreading lies.
‘The public will hold him accountable. You better – the press,’ he said pointing his finger at reporters, ‘hold him accountable because you know the truth.’
Asked if he plans to speak with Trump, Biden said without turning around and as he was halfway out of the room: ‘No.’
Before that point, Biden gave a very off-color joke when a reporter tried to ask an off-topic question about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas terrorists operating out of Gaza.
‘What did Prime Minister Netanyahu tell you about his plans related to retaliation?’ a reporter posed.
‘He’s coming over to help with the storm,’ Biden clapped back.
The White House revealed that Biden spoke for 30 minutes with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the conflict but did not share specific details of their conversation.
As reporters continue to press for answers about the ongoing conflict, Biden and his team were focused on keeping Thursday’s discussion about rescue, recovery and relief plans to deal with Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
And the president wanted to make sure that Americans are not listening to what Trump is saying about the federal response.
‘Our fellow Americans are putting their lives on the line to do this dangerous work and received – some receive death penalties (sic) yesterday as a result of reckless, irresponsible and relentless disinformation and outright lies that continue to flow,’ Biden said in appearing to mix up the word ‘threats’ and ‘penalties.’
‘These lies are also harmful to those who most need help,’ Biden added in Thursday’s briefing. ‘Lives are on the line. People are in desperate situations.’
‘Have the decency to tell them the truth,’ he demanded of the former president.