Joe Biden had had enough. This was very clear when the US president gave a short statement to journalists on Thursday afternoon.
"Anyone who seeks to take advantage of our fellow Americans' desperation, whether you're a company engaging in price gouging or a citizen trying to scam your neighbors: we'll go after you and we'll hold you accountable," he told reporters in Washington.
Biden was referring to incidents that have taken place in recent days and weeks in the states affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. For example: People trying to fly out of Florida before Hurricane Milton made landfall in the early hours of Thursday morning reported on social media that they were being quoted exorbitant ticket prices. There were also reports of hugely inflated prices at hotels and private Airbnb accommodation in Florida this week.
Biden, however, didn't just criticize the profiteers. He also condemned the "reckless, irresponsible disinformation and outright lies that continue to flow" since Hurricane Helene — much of which are being spread by the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
In late September, Hurricane Helene devastated several southeastern US states, killing more than 200 people. As the cleanup operation was still ongoing, Trump railed against the Biden administration and Vice President Kamala Harris — who is also his Democratic rival for the presidency on November........