Low quality image with the President bowing his head. You should check C-Span, their video quality is *MUCH* better and you'll see that he actually wasn't sleeping.

Sorry that he didn't live up to your expectations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5JF7PupC58

Last I checked "No Comment" is covered under the first amendment. Sure, as a leader it looks bad, but I'd rather have a leader who has all the facts and be prepared to speak rather than offering commentary when he has no facts (Like, Trump for example). Also, when he had said the word "No comment" allegedly, he had already given comment by this point on Maui. White House Dep. Press Secretary said he was unable to hear the question. I saw the video and he mouthed the words "no comment." Given that he probably spoke it and we couldn't hear him, I'd wager due to his aging body, he probably didn't hear the question as Ms. Dalton said, and didn't want to stop by to answer people's questions.

Biden broke away from his vacation in Lake Tahoe to visit Maui on Monday, where he was praised by local leaders for a swift federal response. But the frustrations of at least some residents were still raw.

I will say though, in spite of Biden giving aid as quickly as he found out, is far better than Trump denying California federal aid when suffering six wildfires... But, how easily Republicans forget. It's almost like they have a mental disorder where they forget everything that their guy did in office.

So, in Biden’s case…never.

"“I don’t want to compare difficulties, but we have a little sense, Jill and I, what it’s like to lose a home,” he said while at the Lahaina Civic Center.

“To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my ‘67 Corvette, and my cat. But all kidding aside, I watched the firefighters, the way they responded…And they ran into flames to save my wife and save my family. Not a joke,” he added.

An Associated Press article from August 2, 2004, on the fire called it “small” and “contained to the kitchen.” It was under control in 20 minutes, according to the fire company chief."

Sounds like to me that he's trying to reach them, and not doing a very good job. I get why he's doing it, but. eh... It's not compareable. It would've been better if he had prefaced with "I understand what I went through is nothing what you have endured, but it gives me the smallest glimpse." Which is what he was trying to do, given the verbiage of his sentiment.

Not that Republicans care about attempts in diplomacy. Trump would be there tossing fire extinguishers to the audience.

Biden did little to endear himself to the traumatized islanders, delivering a rambling speech referencing the death of his wife and baby daughter in 1972, and later telling an anecdote about a 2004 kitchen fire in his Delaware home. Meeting one of the rescuers, Biden then made a clumsy joke about needing protective footwear, telling the worker: 'Hot ground!'

THE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, people of Maui. You’ve shown such absolute, incredible courage, and that’s not hyperbole. I want you to know, on behalf of the United States of America and all the nation, the American people stand with you.

Governor Josh Green, you’ve been incredible. From the day we’ve spoken on this, you’ve been way ahead of the curve. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke; Brian Schantz [Schatz], our senator; Senator Mazie Hir- — by the way, Mazie, I told my granddaughter, whose name is Maisy as well — she said, “That’s why I like her.” (Laughter.) Anyway. But her name is Maisy as well.

And — and Jill To- — Tokuda, Representative Ed Chase, and Mayor Rick Bassen [Bissen]. Rick, when we talked on the phone, I never — you look like you played in defensive tackle for — I don’t know who, but somebody good. But, anyway, I want to thank you for your leadership in this unimaginable — during this unimaginable travedy — tragedy.

To my left is the banyan tree beloved by this community for over 150 years here in the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, that has stood for generations as a sacred spot of exceptional significance.

One of the people who took me under his wing when I first got to the Senate was Danny Inouye. He used to talk about — used to talk about the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was J- — came from Japan, but it was amazing to listen to him.

Today, it’s burned, but it’s still standing. The tree survived for a reason. I believe it’s a powerful — a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis. And for this — for as long as it takes, we’re going to be with you — the whole country will be with you.

You know, we will be respectful of these sacred grounds and the traditions that rebuild the way the people of Maui want to build, not the way others want to build. We’re going to rebuild the way the people of Maui want to build.

But, you know, it’s going to be hard. America’s deadly wildfire — deadliest wildfire in over a century.

And Jill and I have what’s left of — walked Front Street, what’s left of it. We’ve surveyed the damage from the air as well. The devastation is overwhelming.

To date, 114 dead. Hundreds of people are unaccounted for...."

My Lord, but you are long winded.
I guess you just like to read your own words… no one else will.

Actually, Trump was the guy that went to go get a photo op in a fire devastated place against the wishes of a store owner after the Police Brutality Riots of '20. Multiple times.

Oh you're referencing a few sentences that he spoke of where he was trying to relate not knowing whether or not his family is safe? Leave it to the GOP to equate such messages to material value rather than focusing on Human life, ironic being the "pro-life" party. 🙄

It's a wonder he didn't bring up his dead son again this time too... 🙄

It would be if you don't have empathy.

For the party that says "F**k your feelings" It's no wonder you don't understand this thing where you try to reach common ground and trying to establish a rapport.

Yes... Biden empathy... his son died all over the place... LOL

"Tom Gram, the owner of a business that had its premises burned out during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last week, refused an invitation from Team Trump to pose outside the store with the president. He explained to local network TMJ4: “I think everything [Trump] does turns into a circus and I just didn’t want to be involved in it.” So, imagine his surprise when watching TV coverage of President Trump’s visit to the city when he introduced another guy as the owner of his business, who went on to praise Trump for his response to the protests."

Lies.

He was acknowledging the hardship of not knowing whether or not a loved one was alive. The speech I read had nothing really to do with a kitchen.

TRUTH

Yea, I know, cuz I actually looked it up. Nice to see you can actually change your mind about something.

But Newsom announced Friday afternoon that he had spoken with President Trump by phone and that the aid was approved. "Grateful for his quick response," Newsom said.

Yes... you lied by omission... OOPS

Trump (350mil in aid to CA, 12 billion in damage.): Giving aid at 79$ per acre in California wildfires.
Biden (8mil to aid in Maui, 5 billion in damage): Giving aid at $8,000 per acre in Maui..

Didn't lie by omission. Trump said he denied aid. Someone ELSE had to go to him and get him to send it. No one needed to ask Biden.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!!

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/924497292/white-house-rejects-california-request-for-nearly-350-million-in-wildfire-aid

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!

Doesn't change the fact that he said it.

Oops.

Funny how fast his admin changed position on what he said. I guess his caretakers got to work, right?

"... You know, it’s one thing to know, but it’s quite another thing to have to wait, to wonder whether your family members are going to be okay.

Imagine being a parent wondering where your child is — where he is. I remember, as I said. You know, press reports of grandfathers crying for lost neighbors while trying to be strong for the ones who survived. Of a woman distributing clothing to survivors who says she didn’t lose her home, but she lost her hometown.

But I also want all of you to know the country grieves with you, stands with you, and we’ll do everything possible to help you recover, rebuild, and respect culture and traditions when the rebuilding takes place.

My administration has been in constant contact with the governor and congressional delegation and local leaders. As soon as I got the governor — governor’s request, I signed the master — the major disaster declaration that mobilized the whole-of-government response, which means whatever you need, you’re going to get.

For example, the Coast Guard and Navy immediately supported maritime search and rescue operations, while the Army helped fire suppression.

Here’s what — here’s what we’ve been doing since. First, we focused on search and rescue, which is still going on. Right now, there are over 450 search and rescue experts working around the clock.

Second, I’ve identified FEMA’s Administrator Griswell [Criswell] to lean forward, as she always has done, to help survivors get immediate aid. FEMA has quickly provided 5 — 55,000 meals, 75,000 liters of water, 5,000 beds, 10,000 blankets. We’re working to help remove the debris, repair roads, and restore power.

Additionally, my Department of Homeland — of Housing and Urban Development is working with the state to make sure survivors can move from emergency shelters into temporary housing to finally have a permanent place to call home as well.

The Small Business Administration is making low-interest federal disaster loans available to Hawaiian businesses — many of them you see here — burned to the ground; homeowners and renters; and nonprofits.

If you need help, you can visit FEMA’s disaster recovery center at Maui College or go to DisasterAssistance.gov — DisasterAssistance.gov.

Today, I’m appointing Bob Fenton, who’s here — where are you, Bob?"

Stable genius outright denying aid.

As little aid was given to Hawaii, he still handled it better than Trump - even though Trump's Administration (not Trump himself) reversed the decision. Trump gave no commentary.

But Newsom announced Friday afternoon that he had spoken with President Trump by phone and that the aid was approved. "Grateful for his quick response," Newsom said.

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/16/924497292/white-house-rejects-california-request-for-nearly-350-million-in-wildfire-aid

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS!!!

Ah, so you mean Trump's handler's fixed the situation for his completely unhinged and evil stance on not sending aid to California. Thanks for clearing that up!

But Newsom announced Friday afternoon that he had spoken with President Trump by phone and that the aid was approved. "Grateful for his quick response," Newsom said.

Trump (350mil in aid to CA, 12 billion in damage.): Giving aid at 79$ per acre in California wildfires.
Biden (8mil to aid in Maui, 5 billion in damage): Giving aid at $8,000 per acre in Maui..

Trump said he denied aid. Someone ELSE had to go to him and get him to send it. No one needed to ask Biden.