US President Joe Biden has faced backlash for a perceived gaffe during a press conference addressing the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California. The 84-year-old president handed the microphone to Vice President Kamala Harris, saying, "Fire away," before quickly adding, "No pun intended."
The remark came as California reeled from wildfires that have claimed six lives, destroyed hundreds of homes, and forced over 70,000 residents to evacuate. Critics were quick to label Biden's comment as insensitive given the circumstances.
Political commentator Vince Dao expressed his outrage on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "How tone deaf can he be?" Similarly, the Libs of TikTok account called the comment "completely tone deaf." Another account, MAGA Voice, described the president's words as "absolutely disgusting."
This isn’t the only controversy Biden has faced amid the wildfire crisis. Earlier in the week, he drew criticism for referencing a personal milestone during the same press conference. Pro-Trump influencer Nick Sortor posted: "Joe Biden just used the Los Angeles Fire press conference to announce he’s a great-grandfather. WTF? This man is an absolute disgrace."
Despite the backlash, Biden outlined federal measures to assist in the recovery efforts. He announced that the federal government would cover all wildfire disaster response costs for the next 180 days. These funds will support debris removal, hazardous material cleanup, temporary shelters, first responder salaries, and other safety measures.
The wildfires, which have ravaged Los Angeles and surrounding areas, are projected to be among the most expensive in U.S. history, with damages estimated to exceed $135 billion (£109.7 billion).
As recovery efforts continue, Biden’s comments have sparked a heated debate online, overshadowing the administration's commitment to supporting affected communities.
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