(DailyChive.com) – President Biden made a surprise appearance at the White House press briefing last Friday, giving reporters a rare chance to ask him questions directly. It was his first time attending a briefing since becoming president. However, despite the opportunity, reporters chose not to ask about the major disaster unfolding in the Southeast after Hurricane Helene. The hurricane had already caused over 230 deaths and widespread destruction.
Biden talked briefly about several topics, including the end of a port workers’ strike, the latest positive job numbers, and the possibility of requesting more funding from Congress to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. But surprisingly, there were no follow-up questions on hurricane relief from the reporters.
Instead, the first reporter focused on the economy. She asked Biden about Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s claim that the latest job numbers were “fake” and questioned whether Americans believed the economy was truly improving.
While Biden’s response to the economic critique was a major focus, the crisis in the Middle East became the hottest topic of the day. Reporters grilled Biden on his stance toward Israeli and Iranian tensions, potential U.S. sanctions, and concerns about how these international conflicts could affect the upcoming U.S. election. Additionally, questions about election security and the peaceful transfer of power were high on the list. One reporter asked if Biden had any concerns about how the election would unfold, especially considering the tensions both domestically and abroad.
Hurricane Helene did get one brief mention. A reporter asked about Vice President Kamala Harris and her role in handling several crises, including the hurricane. However, no detailed questions were asked about the government’s response to the hurricane itself.
Former President Trump has sharply criticized the Biden administration’s handling of Hurricane Helene, calling it poorly managed. In response, the White House has defended its actions, pointing out that Biden approved emergency declarations, sent troops for search-and-rescue, and dispatched over 4,800 federal workers to help. FEMA has delivered millions of meals and gallons of water, along with generators and tarps, and the federal government has already sent out over $45 million in aid to those affected.
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