Biden clashes with reporter on being asked why he wasn't 'commanding' Hurricane Helene efforts

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden engaged in a heated exchange with a reporter who questioned whether he was "commanding" the Hurricane Helene response during a White House press conference.

Addressing reporters at the Roosevelt Roosevelt Room on Monday, September 30, Biden was grappling with constant coughs, and the reporter chose to hit the President with the question as he concluded his press conference and started to exit, reported Fox News.

Biden, who was at his Delaware beach house during the weekend, however, refused to answer all queries of the reporter.

Joe Biden's heated exchange with reporter at White House

"And the hurricane, Mr President... why weren't you and Vice President Harris here in Washington commanding this weekend?" the reporter asked, prompting the octogenarian to turn around near the exit door.

Irked by the question, Biden responded, "I was commanding it. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before as well. I command it. It's called a telephone and all my security people."

"Is it not important for the country to see?" the reporter continued, but Biden closed the door without a reply.

During the press conference, the octogenarian discussed the response to the category 4 storm that caused catastrophic destruction in the Southeastern states and pledged that he would visit the areas most affected this week.

He confirmed that Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was at the destruction site in North Carolina and would continue to monitor the situation on the ground in the Asheville area.

Joe Biden promises to visit hurricane-hit areas later this week

Acknowledging the massive death toll of 100 and around 600 unaccounted for without any provision to contact, President Joe Biden said all were kept in prayers, and the administrations would not leave them until the job was done.

"Also want you to know I'm committed to traveling to the impacted areas as soon as possible, but I've been told that it would be disruptive if I did it right now," he noted.

Biden added he would only visit the sites later this week because, at present, he did not intend to delay or divert the needed responses to the impacted regions.

"I'm directing my team to provide every, every available resource as fast as possible to your communities to rescue, recover, and to begin rebuilding," he said.

The president stated that more than 3,600 personnel have been approved for rescue missions aimed at clearing debris and providing essential supplies. In addition, the 81-year-old also granted emergency declaration requests from the governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama.

The death toll of Hurricane Helene across six states reached 128 as of September 30, leaving many parts of the state without power and floods, according to CNN.

Internet backs Joe Biden for his response to reporter on hurricane efforts

President Joe Biden's defensive response to a reporter who questioned whether he was "commanding" the Hurricane Helene efforts was hailed online. Netizens called it a "Dark Brandon" moment, suggesting he was capable of effective comebacks despite concerns about his age.

"Looks like the old guy's not as slow as a lot of people think," a user said.

"I love how he slams the door shut on this idiot "reporter"— figuratively & literally," another added.

"I’m Not a Biden supporter, but that was a pretty funny response," said a third user.

"You tell them Joe! The reporters are just stupid," read a fourth response.

"Dark Brandon strikes again," an indivdual said.

"Reporter got absolutely dumpstered," someone else wrote.

"LOL walked right into that one. Imagine getting clowned by someone that *you* said was too mentally feeble to do their job," another user chimed in.

"I love when he gives them the same energy they attempt to give him…" read one remark.

"Dark Brandon slays!!" a user wrote.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.