DeSantis Continues To Assist In Recovery Efforts While Biden Comes To Florida For ‘Photo

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continued to lead recovery efforts in Florida’s Big Bind over the weekend after it was hit by near-Category 4 Hurricane Idalia last week.

DeSantis, who is also running for president, stepped off the campaign trail last week to focus on leading his state’s response to the hurricane.

The governor met with large numbers of residents on Saturday in areas that had been impacted to find out what they needed from the state and to serve food to those communities.

It was my pleasure to help serve the Horseshoe Beach community today.

Thank you to @ChickfilA for supporting our recovery efforts. pic.twitter.com/WDd6KlEa8Q

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

Keaton Beach sustained major damage from Hurricane Idalia when it made landfall here.

This will not be an easy recovery, but local officials are working nonstop to get this community back on its feet. We will be there to provide support. pic.twitter.com/McrmxxAAhj

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

Earlier this week I met with Eileen Lilley, who was in desperate need of help after she lost her home from Idalia. @FLSERT has already been able to bring her a new trailer to live in until she is able to rebuild. We were also able to bring her supplies to get her through this… pic.twitter.com/d8cXTBr8dQ

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

.@FLACommerce is providing no-interest emergency bridge loans to help businesses impacted by Idalia.

Apply for these loans and find in-person locations for business resources at https://t.co/r9ix7cEXHr pic.twitter.com/cFpTr8jOhB

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

Today I met with residents in Madison County who were heavily impacted by Idalia.

Operation BBQ Relief has been serving hot meals at Madison County High School and they will continue to be in the community to meet outstanding needs. pic.twitter.com/qCHemZGp33

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 2, 2023

President Joe Biden visited the state for what many conservatives said online was a “photo-op” in an apparent attempt to show that he pays attention to major disasters in the U.S. after he was widely criticized for his weak response to the historic fire in Maui last month. The president was also criticized over his refusal to visit East Palestine after the town was devastated by a train derailment in February that polluted the environment and contaminated the water.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP

“As I’ve told your governor, if there’s anything your state needs, I’m ready to mobilize that support,” Biden said. “Anything they need related to these storms. Your nation has your back and we’ll be with you until the job is done.’’

DeSantis’ team said on Friday that the governor would not meet with Biden and suggested that he should not visit the affected area because the security precautions that the Secret Service would have to take would shut down recovery efforts.

“We don’t have any plans for the Governor to meet with the President tomorrow,” DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern said in a statement. “In these rural communities, and so soon after impact, the security preparations alone that would go into setting up such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.”

Biden said at the press conference in Florida that DeSantis directed him to go to “where would be the least disruption.”

Related: Trump Repeatedly Attacks DeSantis While He Manages Florida Hurricane Response