Joe Biden provoked a furious public backlash over comments he made in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
The deadly storm hit land in the US on Wednesday (Thursday in UK), leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The storm spawned tornadoes before slamming into central Florida and then tearing about 175 miles across land, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
The US President criticised people for spreading disinformation about the rescue efforts in a press conference, saying emergency workers had been given “death penalties” as a consequence.
He said: “Our fellow Americans are putting their lives on the line to do this dangerous work and received death penalties as a result of reckless, irresponsible, relentless disinformation and outright lies that continue to flow.”
His remarks, however, drew a stinging response from many Americans on social media channels.
One user tweeted: “I had to replay that immediately to make sure I heard correctly.”
While another said: “”I think he meant death threats, but…”
Biden’s comments appeared directed at his predecessor Donald Trump, who claimed rescue efforts had been “politicised”.
In a post to his X account, Trump claimed he had received reports that the Federal Government and Democrat governors were going “out of their way to not help people in Republican areas” following the horrific effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Additionally, Trump’s ally Elon Musk accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of actively blocking donations to hurricane victims.
FEMA officials have refuted both these claims and Trump has provided no concrete evidence for his allegations.
When asked by reporters whether Biden held Trump accountable for spreading disinformation, he continued: “The public will hold him accountable.
“You better, the press, hold him accountable because you know the truth.”
At least sixteen people have been killed by the storm, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The hurricane caused widespread devastation, destroying an estimated 150 homes and leaving over three million without power.
Biden said that experts estimate that Hurricane Milton caused a staggering US$50 billion (£38bn) in damage.
