Joe Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis formed a united front Wednesday as the two stood face-to-face and shook hands for the first time after the president surveyed storm damage in Florida from Hurricane Ian.
The nation’s first lady, Jill Biden, and Florida’s first lady, Casey DeSantis, joined their husbands in a public demonstration of unity.
The Florida couple greeted the Bidens as they stepped out of their motorcade to receive a briefing from state and local officials on what it takes to successfully recover from damage from the Category 4 storm, which killed more than 100 people people died and hundreds of thousands were displaced.
After speaking on the phone multiple times, including one before the storm made landfall, Biden and DeSantis put their hurricane recovery partnership to the test in their first face-to-face meeting.
The president and GOP governor have publicly shot down suggestions that they are not cooperating in their response to the storm’s carnage, even sending each other veiled compliments.
President Joe Biden met for the first time in person with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday when he was visiting the Sunshine State to survey the carnage of Hurricane Ian. From LR: Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis, Governor DeSantis, First Lady Jill Biden, President Biden
Biden was greeted by Florida’s first couple as he met with state and local leaders to work together in recovery from the massive storm that killed at least 109
The Bidens heard from community leaders and local residents affected by the storm on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Fisherman’s Pass in Fort Myers, Fla
DeSantis said during an update earlier Wednesday morning that Florida was “happy” the White House signed the emergency declaration before Hurricane Ian became a tropical storm — and said he “appreciated this quick action.”
As of Tuesday, 109 people were reported dead from the hurricane — the deadliest since 1935. About 318,000 homes and businesses are still without power as of Wednesday morning, a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida.
Biden left the White House Wednesday morning to fly to the DeSantis jurisdiction, where he will survey the damage from the storm in Fort Myers, Fla. from the air and speak with local and state officials, including Gov. and Senator Rick Scott, another staunch critic.
Before the storm hit, Biden was scheduled to visit Orlando and Fort Lauderdale last week to promote strengthening Social Security and Medicaid.
He previously accused Scott of wanting to end both programs by suggesting federal laws should expire every five years, despite the Florida senator saying he wants to preserve the programs.
Biden and DeSantis have also had a variety of disagreements over the past few years over a variety of issues, including combating COVID-19 and education and immigration policies.
Biden toured the destruction of the storm in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., by helicopter on Wednesday
Biden’s first trip to the Sunshine State this year became a show of unity between the Democratic government and Republican leadership in Florida as they continue to work hand-in-hand in hurricane recovery. Pictured: Gov. DeSantis speaks with the President and First Lady as they head to a meeting with residents affected by the storm on Wednesday
In recent weeks, the two have publicly clashed over DeSantis’ decision to put migrants on planes or buses to Democratic cities.
However, Hurricane Ian changed the purpose and tone of Biden’s first trip to Florida that year — it became a moment of bipartisan collaboration.
DeSantis has emerged as a potential alternate GOP presidential nominee in 2024 as more moderate Republican voters turn away from ultra-MAGA ideals. Although President Biden has not made an official announcement, he has reiterated that he is determined to run for re-election.
All eyes turned to the Sunshine State on Wednesday over a potential clash between the Democratic president and GOP governor who could face off in 2024.
“There will be plenty of time, plenty of time to discuss differences between the president and the governor — but now is not the time,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during her briefing on Tuesday.
She told reporters: “When it comes to delivering and making sure the people of Florida have what they need, especially in the wake of Hurricane Ian, we are one. We work as a unit.”
Joe and Jill Biden wave to guests as they leave the White House for Florida on Wednesday, October 5
Biden’s first in-person meeting with DeSantis came after a massive storm hit the peninsular state
The duo held several phone calls related to the Category 4 hurricane that devastated the state last week. Pictured: Gov. DeSantis and his wife Casey (left) provide an update on the ongoing effort in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Tuesday, October 4
It is in neither Biden’s nor DeSantis’ interest to make the meeting anything but apolitical at this point. Biden has spoken to DeSantis several times before, but this will be the first face-to-face meeting between the opposing duo.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell will accompany Biden for the trip.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Florida on Wednesday, Criswell said, “There are communities that need a complete rebuild.”
“We need to invite the entire federal family,” she added.
The President announced Wednesday that the federal government will pay 100 percent of the costs of “debris clearance and emergency preparedness” in Florida for 60 days after the day of the first incident.
This is an extension of the last 30-day relief period announced last month when the hurricane hit.
The first couple exits the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews, where they will fly to Fort Myers, Fla., where their President will survey the damage from the hurricane by helicopter
Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are still without power nearly a week after the hurricane made landfall in Florida. A Search A member of the rescue team searches the carnage at Fort Myers Beach in search of victims
Restaurants, stores and other businesses were destroyed in the hurricane in Fort Myers Beach, Florida
The storm caused an estimated $60 billion in damage and left thousands homeless.
The storm disrupted power to more than 4 million homes and businesses in Florida and over 1.1 million in North and South Carolina.
Partisanship when it comes to federal aid to states has broken down in recent years between the White House and opposing party governors. Santis in 2022.
DeSantis, whose political style focuses on attacking far-left politics, need not worry that Biden’s visit will ruin his influence and popularity in the GOP.
While he will accept federal aid to Florida, it’s unlikely there will be any literal hugs.
The president and governor have congratulated each other during their phone calls in a rare moment of bipartisanship at a deeply divided time in US politics — particularly with less than five weeks until the midterm elections.
DeSantis revealed during a storm response update Tuesday that three of the four looting suspects arrested in Lee County are in the United States illegally.
Focusing on “law and order,” the Florida governor made a connection between the looting and Biden’s immigration policies.
“These are foreigners, they’re illegal in our country, but not only that, they’re trying to loot and loot after a natural disaster,” DeSantis explained.
“They should be prosecuted, but they must be sent back to their home country. You shouldn’t be here at all,’ he continued.
A no-go sign warns looters they will be shot outside a store in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., after Hurricane Ian wreaked widespread destruction
The looting took place after Hurricane Ian.
The four men were arrested for breaking into an unoccupied building during a state of emergency, according to online prison records.
The people, between the ages of 20 and 33, have been booked to search destroyed homes and businesses in Fort Myers Beach while suffering from the raging torrent.
All four looters were arrested on September 29 – but documents show they were released after posting $35,000 bail each.