Steve Benen - Vice President Kamala Harris criticized former President Donald Trump on Monday over false claims he has made talking about disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. "It's extraordinarily irresponsible," the Democratic nominee said, adding in reference to Trump, "It's about him; it's not about you."
As communities across the Southeast, most notably in North Carolina, try to recover from Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, Donald Trump has spent several days brazenly lying about the governmental response to the deadly storm. State and local officials, including plenty of Republicans, have asked him to stop deceiving the public, but he's ignored the appeals.
The consequences of Trump's duplicity are real: As my MSNBC colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim explained, officials have said that the election-season lies and conspiracy theories "are hindering relief efforts," while forcing agencies to waste time and resources combating lies that too many people are falling for.
For months, at the heart of the Democratic Party's election-season messaging was a straightforward condemnation of the former president: Trump's only priority is what's best for Trump. Period. Full stop.
It's against this backdrop that the Republican saw devastated communities and human suffering, which apparently led him to see a political opportunity: If he repeatedly lied about the heartbreaking circumstances, Trump concluded, it might benefit his campaign.
As it turns out, we have a word in American politics for situations like these. That word is "scandal." Trump actions - drawing fresh attention to his lack of integrity and character - deserve to be seen and characterized as scandalous.
Making matters worse, these developments also offer a timely reminder that Trump's own record related to responding to disasters is abysmal - a point the Harris campaign hopes to drive home in a hard-hitting new television ad.
@#1 ... As communities across the Southeast, most notably in North Carolina, try to recover from Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, Donald Trump has spent several days brazenly lying about the governmental response to the deadly storm. State and local officials, including plenty of Republicans, have asked him to stop deceiving the public, but he's ignored the appeals. ...
Remember Laura Loomer?
No? Here's a refresher...
Laura Loomer
en.wikipedia.org
... Laura Elizabeth Loomer (born May 21, 1993)[1] is an American far-right[a] political activist, conspiracy theorist,[b] and internet personality. She was the Republican nominee to represent Florida's 21st congressional district in the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections, losing to Democrat Lois Frankel.[2][3] She also ran in the Republican primary for Florida's 11th congressional district in 2022, losing to incumbent Daniel Webster.[4]
She has described herself as being "pro-white nationalism" and a "proud Islamophobe".[c][d] ...
Donald Trump sought to hire Loomer to his presidential campaign in April 2023, but his senior campaign advisors successfully discouraged Trump from doing so.[10][11][12]
By September 2024, some Trump supporters and others expressed concerns about Loomer's continuing presence around and influence on Trump.[13][14] ...
Hmmmm, "continuing influence on Trump?"
Like this...
Laura Loomer: Who is conspiracy theorist travelling with Trump? (September 2024)
www.bbc.com
... The presence of hard-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer alongside Donald Trump on the campaign trail in recent days has raised questions, including from some Republicans, about the influence the controversial former congressional candidate may have on him.
Ms Loomer is well-known for her anti-Muslim rhetoric and for spreading conspiracy theories, including that the 9/11 attacks were an "inside job" carried out by the US government.
She joined Trump at an event on Wednesday commemorating the attacks, raising eyebrows and prompting outrage in some US media outlets.
And on Tuesday, the 31-year-old travelled to Philadelphia on board Trump's plane for the presidential debate in the city. ...
Then there is this, from a person who fmr Pres Trump seems to view as a consultant (will she get a White House position, should fmr Pres Trump win the Oval Office?)
Laura Loomer
@LauraLoomer
x.com
...
The people in Appalachia should NOT comply with FEMA.
This is a matter of survival.
Do not comply with FEMA.
...
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