Trump criticizes DeSantis for handling Hurricane Idalia aftermath.

Former President Trump⁤ Addresses Hurricane Idalia

Former President Donald Trump has addressed the storm that ravaged Florida, ​wishing those affected by the storm well and criticizing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handling of the‌ disaster.

“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by Hurricane Idalia. I urge everyone to listen to your local officials, heed all warnings, and prioritize the safety of yourself and your loved ones,” President ⁢Trump wrote⁢ via Truth Social on Wednesday.

“I’ve⁢ witnessed the courage, strength, and spirit ​of the⁢ great people of Florida ⁤many times over the years! Together, they will recover and rebuild, but in the meantime, be safe. Love and respect to everyone. God bless ⁢you ‌all!”

Hurricane Idalia’s Impact

Idalia made landfall along Florida’s west coast as a Category ‌3 storm on Wednesday morning. After ‍initially intensifying into Category 4 with the maximum sustained winds recorded at 125 mph, the storm was downgraded to a Category ‍1 storm with 90 mph winds as it continued to turn more toward the east‍ and​ move out to the Atlantic.

The storm is estimated to have caused between ⁣$12 billion and $20 billion in damage‍ and lost output, according ‍to a⁤ report from ⁢Moody’s Analytics on Thursday. By ⁣comparison, last year’s Ian, a Category 4, caused ⁤an estimated $112.9 billion of total damage.

Some​ had criticized the former president for being silent ​about the hurricane as it approached Florida until his social media message on Wednesday.

President Trump Criticizes ⁤Gov. DeSantis

In another Truth Social post on Thursday, President Trump criticized Mr. DeSantis’⁣ management of hurricane recovery, claiming that he “unnecessarily approved a 20 percent hike in Florida Electricity ‍Rates, the largest in history (by far!), after taking a 9.5 Million Dollar Campaign Contribution from ‘money machine’ Florida Power and⁢ Light.”

It’s ‌unclear what time frame President Trump ​was referring to. According ​to⁢ Florida Power and ⁤Light, state⁢ regulators approved the company’s requests to reduce rates in July and May to‍ keep up with ⁢the drop in⁢ natural gas prices.⁣ The company’s website shows that the typical residential customer bill stood at $136.00 per 1000 kWh ⁣in​ July, $8.38 lower than it was in ​April.

President Trump also renewed his criticism over Florida’s struggling insurance market, where insurance companies are pulling out while⁢ homeowners pay‌ the highest ​insurance rates in the nation. Following last year’s Hurricane Ian, almost a dozen insurers have stopped offering their policies in the⁣ Sunshine ‌State.

“Next up ⁣to check out is ‍the Insurance Industry, where DeSanctus gave up the store,” he wrote.

President ​Biden Supports Gov. DeSantis

Meanwhile, ⁤President Joe Biden seemed content with Mr. DeSantis’ handling of‌ Idalia’s aftermath. On Wednesday, a reporter asked him during a White⁣ House press briefing if ‌he “sensed any politics” in his conversations with the Republican primary contender,‍ to which the president replied, “No.”

“I know this sounds strange,⁤ especially how ⁣the nature of politics today. But, you know, I was down there when the last major storm [hit],” President Biden said. “I spent a lot of time with him walking from community to community, making ⁤sure he had what he needed to get it done.”

“I think he trusts my judgment and my desire to help. And I trust him to be able to suggest that⁤ he’s—this is not about politics, is about ‌taking care of the people of this state.”

Mr. DeSantis, who is trailing behind President Trump over 30 percentage points in Republican​ primary polls, ⁤was asked at a Tallahassee news conference early on Wednesday about President Trump’s then lack of comments on⁣ the hurricane. He ⁢quickly dismissed ​the question.