Donald Trump Jr. dings DeSantis for not canceling travel during Florida flooding
“Fort Lauderdale is under water and DeSantis is campaigning in Ohio.”
Former President Donald Trump’s son on Thursday criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for not canceling out-of-state travel while parts of southern Florida suffered from historic flooding that stranded motorists and caused massive traffic jams.
“Fort Lauderdale is under water and DeSantis is campaigning in Ohio right now instead of taking care of the people suffering in his state,” Donald Trump Jr. tweeted.”
DeSantis and the former president are becoming increasingly bitter rivals ahead of the 2024 presidential race. Trump has already declared that he’s running while DeSantis is expected to jump into the race in the next month or two.
Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area received more than two feet of rain, forcing the city’s international airport to shut down and flooding homes and highways.
DeSantis, who traveled to Ohio Thursday to attend a Butler County Republican Party event, declared a state of emergency for Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale later in the day. Reports indicate the rainfall and flooding may continue to disrupt critical infrastructure — including county roads, airports, hospitals and schools.
The governor’s office also authorized funds from the state’s emergency preparedness and response fund to pay for disaster relief.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management deployed staff to assist in recovery efforts including collecting damage assessment data. The Florida Highway Patrol increased staffing to coordinate coverage in response to the flood.
But Fort Lauderdale’s mayor, Dean Trantalis, a Democrat, said during a press conference Thursday that the governor hadn’t called him about the flooding and the ongoing cleanup effort.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m sure he’s very interested in what’s going on here, and we’re happy to work with his office,” Trantalis said. “I’m not sure if the governor himself needs to be involved, but the state agencies have been very helpful in working with us to take on this challenge.
In response, the governor’s office said it is wrong for the media and political critics to rush to politicize every national disaster.
“The governor left yesterday, and the unprecedented flooding intensified later in the night. He returns today,” DeSantis’ spokesperson Bryan Griffin said in a statement.
“Nonetheless, at the direction of Governor DeSantis, the state emergency response apparatus is in full swing responding to the flooding and the needs of the localities as they are communicated to us. This now includes issuing a state of emergency in Broward County,” he added.
Meanwhile, Democratic state senator Shevrin Jones criticizes DeSantis in a statement issued Thursday.
“It is disgraceful and telling about his priorities that Gov. DeSantis chose to campaign and continue his book tour in Ohio instead of govern in Florida. He has failed as a leader,” the statement says.
Gary Fineout contributed to this report.