Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pushed back hard against reports that he refused a phone call from Kamala Harris ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall. The storm, which has ramped up to a Category 5, is barreling toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, causing significant concern in areas like Tampa Bay. With residents evacuating and preparations underway, this is hardly the time for political gamesmanship—yet, here we are.
According to a report from ABC News—the same network owned by Disney, a company that hasn’t exactly been DeSantis’ best friend lately—a “source close to the governor” claimed DeSantis had deliberately avoided Harris’ outreach. The story gained traction with the insinuation that the Florida governor is too wrapped up in partisan politics to cooperate on hurricane relief. In an almost theatrical move, ABC went on to suggest that DeSantis is dodging calls from Biden, too.
Naturally, this narrative got legs, and Harris herself couldn’t resist the opportunity to weigh in. As she was boarding her plane, she threw out a soundbite that practically dripped with indignation. “Moments of crisis… should really be the moment that anyone who calls themselves a leader says they’re going to put politics aside,” she said. “Playing political games at this moment… is just utterly irresponsible.” It’s a nice line, but the implication that DeSantis is ignoring his duties just didn’t sit right with many Floridians.
When DeSantis finally responded, he didn’t mince words. “No, I didn’t know she called me,” he told reporters. “I saw [the report], but I was not aware of that.” In his press conference, DeSantis went on to clarify that he has been in direct contact with the White House about hurricane-related matters, including a recent call from Biden during Hurricane Helene. According to DeSantis, he’s gotten everything he requested from federal agencies, with zero complications. So much for the drama, right?
As for the suggestion that DeSantis dodged Biden’s calls? He made it clear that the president hadn’t reached out beyond that initial call. DeSantis emphasized his office would be “on the phone very quickly” with FEMA or the president if necessary. “Their characterization… wasn’t anything that anybody in my office did,” he added, dismissing the allegations as yet another case of media spin.
Here is the clip of Ron DeSantis categorically denying the report from @ABC that he ignored a call from Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/zfH7yDXtdM
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) October 7, 2024
In the end, it looks like this was just a manufactured controversy from the get-go. DeSantis has what he needs from Washington, and he’s focused on the real work at hand: preparing Florida for Hurricane Milton. Anything else is just noise.
https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1843482469246320765
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