Even before Hurricane Milton hits the coast of Florida, its effects can be clearly felt in the USA: in the US election campaign between Trump and Harris.
As the election date approaches and the fight for the White House in Washington becomes increasingly bitter, a storm with possibly catastrophic consequences is approaching the southeast of the USA for the second time in a short space of time. Hurricane Milton will make landfall in Florida on Thursday night, just two weeks after Storm Helene raged there. A few weeks before the presidential election on November 5th, many people are in need – and have involuntarily become a major issue in the election campaign.
US President Joe Biden canceled his visit to Germany in order to “be in the country” when his compatriots are struggling with the devastating consequences of the disasters. “It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s no exaggeration,” he warned of “Milton.” At the same time, he initiated extensive federal aid and the deployment of soldiers to support the National Guard in rescue and recovery operations.
For the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, “Helene” and “Milton” are occasions for the black-peer game he often practices. Hardly a day goes by when the right-wing populist doesn’t accuse his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and incumbent Biden of failing to provide disaster relief.
Trump provokes anger in the USA
Most recently, he declared that Harris and Biden’s response to the damage caused by “Helene” in North Carolina was “completely incompetent.” He also spread the false claim that the president and vice president had “stolen money” from the disaster management agency Fema “so they could give it to their illegal immigrants.”
Hurricane Milton
Florida fears worst storm in 100 years
In addition to the acute distress, the mourning for relatives and the concern about reconstruction, such statements generate anger among those affected. The US government opposes it every time. Biden condemned Trump’s comments as “un-American,” and Harris attacked the Republican directly in an interview: “That’s absurd. Man, don’t you have any compassion for other people’s suffering?”
White House counters Donald Trump
“Playing political games” in such a situation is “just irresponsible and selfish,” she said elsewhere. According to the White House, $210 million in federal aid has been made available to deal with the consequences of the disasters and almost 7,000 additional helpers have been mobilized for rescue and recovery operations.
But with hurricanes hitting the country, the internet is also flooded with false claims. Much of this wafts through Trump supporter Elon Musk’s online service Lithium mines will be created.
Hurricane “Milton” uncontrollable
That prompted Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez to clarify: “Humans can’t control hurricanes. Anyone who thinks that should get their head examined.”
Hardly any scientists express any doubt that the increasing number of deadly hurricanes are linked to man-made climate change and the intensive use of fossil fuels. A quick analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research initiative says that “Helene”, which killed at least 230 people, was ten percent more severe due to climate change.
Scientists fly directly into the eye of Hurricane Milton
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How US politics will react to this will be decided on November 5th: Trump, who ignores the scientific findings on climate change, withdrew from the Paris climate agreement as president and would probably do so again if re-elected. He announced that he would quickly stop “Biden’s wasteful spending” – by which he meant the US government’s funding to curb climate change. However, he wants to boost the production of oil and gas again on a large scale.
Harris sees climate change as an “existential threat” to humanity – in 2022, together with Biden, she launched the largest investment in the fight against global warming in US history.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
