President Biden praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his “graciousness” when he spoke with him about mitigating the effects of the multiple hurricanes hitting Florida.
In recent days, there has been an ongoing dispute between Vice President Kamala Harris's team and DeSantis. NBC News reported Monday that DeSantis is declining calls from Harris' team, but the governor and president appear to be in much better shape.
During Wednesday's White House press conference, Real Clear Politics reporter Philip Wegmann asked, “Mr. President, do Governor DeSantis have you take calls from Vice President Harris?”
“All I can say is that I spoke with Governor DeSantis,” Biden replied. “He was very gracious. He thanked me for everything we did. He knows what we're doing and I think that's important.”
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President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the federal government's response to Hurricane Helene and preparations for Hurricane Milton in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Biden has had multiple calls with DeSantis since Hurricane Helene began moving into the Southeast two weeks ago, followed by Hurricane Milton making landfall late Wednesday. He told both DeSantis and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to “call him directly” if further support was needed. required.
Meanwhile, DeSantis noted Tuesday morning that all of his federal requests for more support have been answered.
Harris accused DeSantis of “playing political games” amid the hurricanes.
“People are desperate for support right now and they are playing political games with this moment, in these crises this is the height of emergency, it's just completely irresponsible and selfish,” Harris told reporters on Monday.
Instead, Biden called Florida's governor a “cooperative.”
“The governor of Florida cooperated. He said he had everything he needed. Yesterday, I talked to him again and I said, no, you're doing a great job, it's all well done, and we thank you for that, Biden said at a press conference at the White House on Tuesday. “It was a rocky start in some places, but every governor, every governor – from Florida to North Carolina – was fully cooperative and supportive.”
BIDEN CANCELS INTERNATIONAL TRIP WHEN MILTON ARRIVES IN FLORIDA; DESANTIS TELLS THE VP: “IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU, KAMALA”
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at LaGuardia Airport on Monday, October 7, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
This was reported on NBC News late Wednesday. “Biden has not been briefed on the dynamics of the relationship with Harris and DeSantis, a person familiar with the situation said.” That source told the agency that Biden “wasn't following the specific back and forth” and was “focused on the response itself.”
After a DeSantis staffer told NBC on Monday that the Florida governor had chosen not to answer the vice president's phone, DeSantis later clarified that he wasn't even aware that Harris was trying to contact him. Instead, the governor argued that it was Harris engaging in political games.
“I worked on these hurricanes under both the Trump and President Biden administrations. None of them ever tried to politicize the issue. She has never caused any of the storms that have happened since she was vice president, apparently until now,” DeSantis told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday morning after reports of criticism of the vice president. “Why is she suddenly trying to parachute and inject herself when she has never shown any interest in the past? We know it's because of politics, we know it's because of her campaign.”
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DeSantis' office declined to comment on Fox News Digital News on Tuesday's reports, but pointed to the governor's comments on “Fox & Friends” and “Hannity,” respectively.
Fox News Digital also reached out to the Harris campaign for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
