People are questioning the White House after a statement made by President Joe Biden’s representative. Olivia Dalton, the spokesperson for the president, recently said that during Biden’s visit to Maui, one of his main goals was to let the island’s people know he’s supported them “from the very start.”
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived in Maui on Monday. This visit came about two weeks after a terrible wildfire event. These fires took the lives of over 111 individuals, including kids. What’s more, many people are still missing.
On Air Force One, Olivia Dalton told reporters about the president’s plan. She said he aimed to show the Maui community that “we’ve stood by them from day one, and so has he.”
Biden spokesperson Olivia Dalton says Biden will "make sure that he communicates to [Maui residents] that not only have we been there since day one, has he been there since day one…" 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NgK2quOhxf
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 21, 2023
However, many folks on social media quickly responded. They pointed out that President Biden was relaxing on a Delaware beach on that “first day.” Stephen L. Miller, a podcast host, reacted to Dalton’s words by posting a picture of the president enjoying his time on the beach.
Day 1 https://t.co/ecxh1X85Ol pic.twitter.com/JoCnvVWyee
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) August 21, 2023
Later, when questioned about the Maui wildfires, President Biden’s only answer was a smile and the words, “No comment.”
Biden again SMIRKS as he ignores reporters asking for comment on the rising death toll of the Maui wildfires pic.twitter.com/EYSkUM00e3
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 15, 2023
Many people were upset by this. Even with the strong reactions, there were no immediate plans for Biden to go to Maui. Instead, he had plans to speak in Wisconsin and then take a vacation to Lake Tahoe.
After all this, the White House announced that Biden would be visiting Maui. This news came just one day after the Lake Tahoe vacation was announced.
The President and First Lady will travel to Maui on Monday, August 21 to meet with first responders, survivors, as well as federal, state, and local officials, in the wake of deadly wildfires on the island.https://t.co/N3rWx3Dbak
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) August 16, 2023
When Biden did land in Maui, he saw many local people holding signs. These signs had messages like “You’re too late!” and “Actions mean more than words.”
As Joe Biden finally arrives in Maui, he's met by OUTRAGED locals holding signs that read:
"You're too late!"
"Actions speak louder than words."Just brutal. pic.twitter.com/tSVWcdKyq3
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 21, 2023
