Former President Donald Trump has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of staging a photo purportedly showing her being briefed on Hurricane Helene.

According to Daily Mail, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticize a picture shared on Harris' X account, which depicted her on a plane, wearing headphones, and appearing to be engaged in a call while writing notes.

The image was posted on Sunday and claimed to show Harris coordinating with North Carolina's governor on hurricane recovery efforts. Trump specifically noted that the headphones Harris is wearing do not appear to be connected to the phone visible on her desk.

Trump's Critique Of The Controversial Image

Trump's commentary on the photo was direct and critical. He questioned the authenticity of the image, suggesting that it was staged for political purposes. Trump stated on his Truth Social account:

You have to plug the cord into the phone for it to work! Another fake and staged photo from someone who has no clue what she is doing.

The former president went on to describe the photo as "fake and staged," implying that it was an attempt to portray Harris as actively involved in disaster response efforts when, in his view, she was not.

It's worth noting that the angle of the image does not provide a clear view of Harris' phone, leaving room for speculation about whether the headphones were indeed connected to a device not visible in the frame.

Harris' Hurricane Response Efforts

The Vice President's post on X (formerly Twitter) stated that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell had briefed her on the latest developments regarding Hurricane Helene's impacts.

Harris also mentioned that she had spoken with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper about ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in the state.

The hurricane has had a devastating impact on several southeastern states, with at least 121 deaths reported across six states as of Monday. The storm's effects have been particularly severe in North Carolina, where at least 30 deaths were reported in the Asheville area alone.

Contrasting Approaches To Disaster Response

While Harris has faced criticism for the photo and her response to the hurricane, Trump highlighted his own approach to disaster relief. The former president visited Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to tour areas damaged by Hurricane Helene. During this visit, Trump spoke with those impacted by the storm and assisted in distributing goods to attendees.

Trump used the opportunity to contrast his actions with those of the current administration. He accused Biden and Harris of abandoning Americans, drawing parallels between their handling of the hurricane response and other controversial issues such as the Afghanistan withdrawal and border policies.

Public Reaction And Social Media Scrutiny

The controversy surrounding Harris' photo has sparked significant discussion on social media platforms. Various online personalities and political commentators have weighed in, scrutinizing the details of the image and questioning its authenticity.

Some users pointed out that the paper in front of Harris appears blank, while others focused on the visibility of certain items in the photo, such as the VP logo on her coffee cup. The debate has extended beyond just the photo itself, with some using it as a launching point to discuss broader issues of political authenticity and media representation.

Harris' Schedule Changes Amid Crisis

In response to the ongoing hurricane crisis, Vice President Harris reportedly altered her schedule. She canceled planned campaign stops for Monday and returned to Washington, D.C., for briefings on Hurricane Helene. Her campaign stated that she would be at FEMA for a briefing on Monday afternoon.

Harris has indicated that she plans to visit the areas affected by the hurricane when it won't interfere with emergency response efforts. This decision comes as the administration faces scrutiny over its handling of the disaster response.

Biden's Response And Defensive Stance

President Joe Biden has also faced questions about his response to the hurricane. When asked about spending the weekend at his Rehoboth Beach vacation home while the storm was devastating parts of the South, Biden defended his actions, stating:

I was commanding, I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday, and the day before, as well. I commanded, it's called a telephone.

The President indicated that he expects to visit the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene later in the week, potentially by Wednesday or Thursday.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Vice President Harris' hurricane briefing photo has ignited a political debate about the current administration's disaster response. Former President Trump has accused Harris of staging the photo, while the Vice President's team maintains that she is actively involved in coordinating relief efforts. As the death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to rise, both the current and former administrations are under scrutiny for their approaches to disaster management and public communication during times of crisis.