President Joe Biden has come under fire for his handling of the recent wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, which have resulted in the loss of 96 lives and still have many unaccounted for. During his vacation in Delaware, Biden’s response to the devastating situation has sparked outrage among the public. Instead of showing empathy, reports suggest that Biden was dismissive and unresponsive when asked about the death toll.
According to Bloomberg correspondent Justin Sink, Biden was seen sunbathing on the beach when he was questioned about the fires and simply responded with a “no comment” before leaving. Earlier that day, reporters outside his residence asked him to address the wildfires, but he replied, “We’re looking at it,” without further elaboration.
Critics online have accused Biden of appearing indifferent and have drawn comparisons to his previous response to the toxic spill in Ohio, for which he also faced backlash.
The wildfires in Maui have resulted in power outages, mass evacuations, and significant destruction in the town of Lahaina. The fires, which were fueled by hurricane-driven winds, started early last week. As of the latest update from the County of Maui, the fire in Lahaina, spanning approximately 2,170 acres, is 85% under control, with multiple fire crews monitoring the situation. Another fire has been fully contained, while a third is 60% contained due to difficult-to-reach hot spots.
When the first fatalities were reported, Biden offered his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. He praised the bravery of firefighters and first responders who risked their lives to save others. The following day, he declared a federal disaster in Hawaii, making federal funding available to those affected by the fires for necessary resources such as temporary housing and loss coverage.
However, Biden’s recent responses to the Maui wildfires have opened him up to criticism regarding his handling of crises. His actions and comments have raised questions about his approach to addressing emergencies and his communication with the public during times of tragedy.
