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Biden administration addresses California wildfires
President Biden and VP Harris, along with others in the administration addressed the deadly California wildfires from the White House Thursday.
LOS ANGELES - President Joe Biden is facing backlash after a remark during a live update on the Los Angeles wildfires. While handing the microphone to Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden quipped, "Fire away… no pun intended," prompting laughter from Harris but outrage online.
The comment came as wildfires devastated Los Angeles County, leaving six people dead and displacing tens of thousands. Critics labeled the remark "tone deaf" and inappropriate given the scale of the tragedy.
Social media reacts
Social media quickly erupted with criticism. Redstate writer Bonchie exclaimed, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DUDE," while Townhall.com columnist Derek Hunter attributed the comment to Biden’s age, calling him "a mean, vindictive person" and blaming the remark on "senility."
The Spectator’s Stephen Miller quipped, "Even Kamala at this point is like, ‘You serious dude?’" Others echoed similar sentiments, with Libs of TikTok calling the remark "completely tone deaf."
Federal response to wildfires
During the same briefing, Biden announced that the federal government would cover 100% of wildfire disaster response costs for the next 180 days, including debris removal, temporary shelters, and salaries for first responders. "I told the governor and local officials: spare no expense," Biden said, describing the damage as "catastrophic."
U.S. President Joe Biden and Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall Homeland Security Advisor speak to the media on the federal response to the Los Angeles wildfires at the White House on January 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Previous controversies
This isn’t the first time Biden has faced criticism during a disaster. Earlier in the week, he announced the birth of his first great-grandson during another wildfire briefing, which some viewed as poorly timed. In 2023, he was criticized for joking about a search-and-rescue dog’s boots during a visit to Maui, where wildfires claimed over 100 lives.
As the Los Angeles wildfires rage on, forcing over 70,000 residents to evacuate, Biden’s remarks have drawn renewed scrutiny amid the ongoing crisis.
The Source:
Information based on reporting from The Sun, Fox News, and official wildfire response updates.