President Joe Biden, asked again on Thursday about his relationship with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), responded by insisting that the two are on good terms and that DeSantis had complimented his response to Hurricane Ian.
The White House said on Monday and Tuesday that the pair had not spoken, which fueled rampant speculation about the reasons why. DeSantis is a rising star in Republican politics and widely seen as a 2024 presidential contender.
HURRICANE FORCES BIDEN AND DESANTIS TO TRY TO BURY THE HATCHET — FOR NOW
But they did speak over the phone Tuesday night and have been working to bury the story ever since. A reporter brought up the issue again when Biden gave remarks at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.
“How would you describe your relationship and your conversations with Gov. DeSantis?” Biden was asked.
“It’s totally irrelevant, but I’ll answer it, OK?” Biden said, visibly irritated. “Very fine. He complimented me, he thanked me for the immediate response we had. He told me how much he appreciated it. He said he was extremely happy with what’s going on.”
DeSantis has also had warm remarks for Biden since Wednesday morning.
“When people’s lives and their property are at risk like this, we all need to work together regardless of party lines,” DeSantis said on Fox News. “The Biden administration has approved our request for a pre-landfall declaration and did that very quickly, so we are very thankful for that. And it’s my sense that the administration wants to help.”
Biden and DeSantis have engaged in many proxy battles over the past year as DeSantis rises in the political world, clashing over immigration, flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, and parental rights, among other issues.
But those are not important in the face of a hurricane Biden said could become the deadliest in Florida history.
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“This is not about anything having to do with our disagreements politically,” Biden said. “This is about saving people’s lives, homes, and businesses. That’s what this is about. And so I’ve been — I’ve talked to him four or five times already. And it’s not a matter of my disagreements with him on other items.”
