Neil McCabe, speaking on GBN America, has criticised Vice President Kamala Harris’s response to Hurricane Milton, particularly her attempt to contact Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
McCabe described Harris’s actions as a “planned media ambush” that “absolutely blew up in her face”.
He noted that DeSantis had not spoken to Harris about any emergencies for three years, questioning her operational role in disaster relief.
The criticism comes as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread concern.
Harris faced further criticism following an awkward moment during a Hurricane Milton briefing. The Daily Mail UK reported that she was heard saying “It’s a live broadcast” before asking a question, leading to accusations of being fed lines by aides.
Critics on social media labelled her a “total fraud” and “incompetent”.
The incident occurred during a virtual briefing with President Biden and other officials, where Harris appeared via video link.
This gaffe has added to concerns about Harris’s preparedness and authenticity in handling natural disasters, potentially impacting her image as a leader during times of crisis.
The contrasting approaches of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris during Hurricane Milton have been highlighted in recent reports.
Trump offered prayers for those affected whilst continuing his campaign rallies in Pennsylvania.
Harris, meanwhile, attended a White House briefing on the storm before embarking on a Western campaign swing.
Both candidates are strategically visiting key swing states, with Trump focusing on blue-collar voters in Michigan and Harris targeting Hispanic voters in Nevada and Arizona.
Their differing tactics reflect the tight race expected in the upcoming November election.
As Hurricane Milton battered Florida’s Gulf Coast, environmentalists raised concerns about potential ecological hazards. Le Monde reported that the storm’s path could disturb over 1 billion tons of slightly radioactive phosphogypsum waste stored in “stacks” near phosphate mines and fertiliser processing plants.
These vulnerable sites, located close to major waterways, pose a significant risk during severe storms. Ragan Whitlock, a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that these sites are “ticking time bombs”.
The potential for pollutants to scatter across the peninsula and into waterways has heightened fears of long-term environmental damage in the storm’s wake.
