US President Joe Biden has faced criticism for his ‘no comment’ response when asked about the increasing death toll caused by recent wildfires in Maui county, Hawaii. These wildfires have resulted in a devastating disaster, claiming the lives of 96 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in the country in over a hundred years.
During the weekend, President Biden was in Delaware at his home in Rehoboth beach. Bloomberg reporter Justin Sink shared on X (formerly Twitter) that after spending a few hours at Rehoboth beach, Biden was asked about the rising death toll in Hawaii. In response, Biden stated, “No comment,” before heading home.
The tragic wildfire incident’s death toll is expected to rise further as rescue and recovery efforts continue. Out of the 96 recorded deaths, only two bodies have been identified. The remains of the deceased are in such a distressing condition that they break apart in the hands of emergency worker crews and scatter on the ground. Over a thousand people are missing.
Biden’s response on Sunday has drawn significant criticism from the public. Some have criticized his apparent lack of concern, particularly considering the severity of the situation. The destruction of the picturesque Lahaina town in Maui county due to the wildfires, which were exacerbated by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, has left many people deeply concerned.
In response to the tragedy, billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez have announced a $100 million ‘Maui Fund’ to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Maui county. This fund aims to assist the region in its recovery from this catastrophic event.