Well, here we go again. Vice President Kamala Harris, ever the picture of composure and preparedness, managed to turn a simple hurricane briefing into yet another headline-worthy gaffe.
While addressing Floridians during an update on Hurricane Milton—one of the most serious storms to hit the state in recent memory—Harris fumbled her way through a prepared speech, only to be caught covering her mouth with both her hands and no so quietly whispering, “It’s a live broadcast,” like that was news to her.
Let’s set the scene: President Biden and Harris received updates from FEMA, with Biden safely tucked away at the White House while Harris and others attended virtually. Floridians were tuning in, hoping for clear guidance on how to weather the approaching storm. Instead, they got a shaky performance from the Vice President that left viewers wondering if anyone in the administration even knows what they’re doing anymore.
As she stumbled through her remarks, it was pretty clear she was leaning heavily on her notes—glancing down so often you’d think she was reading a grocery list rather than delivering a message during a major weather crisis. Her attempt to convey urgency to Floridians felt more like a poorly rehearsed monologue. “To the people of Florida, and in particular, the people of the Tampa region: We urge you to take this storm seriously,” she said as if they needed her to remind them that a Category 5 hurricane isn’t a joke.
You have been “working around the clock to prepare for Hurricane Milton”?
Yesterday, you spent the day filming The View, Howard Stern, and Colbert.
Today, you called into the hurricane briefing virtually.
At least come up with a talking point that is believable! https://t.co/X1TEBpIDHn
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 9, 2024
And then, the pièce de résistance: Harris, apparently unaware she was still on camera, covered her mouth and whispered to her team, “It’s a live broadcast.” You don’t say, Kamala! One would hope that after nearly three years in office, she’d understand the basic concept of live media by now. But alas, it’s yet another moment where her inexperience and lack of preparedness are on full display.
Of course, her office has gone radio silent. Perhaps they’re too busy trying to figure out how to spin this one, or maybe they’re hoping people are too focused on the storm itself to notice another Harris flub.
HOLY SMOKES. Kamala had her staffers giving her questions to ask during the hurricane briefing and she covered her mouth to let them know “It’s a live broadcast.”
Little did she know her mic was still on…
Total incompetence on full display. pic.twitter.com/pmTPmoecBx
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 9, 2024
Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton is no joke. The storm has fluctuated between Category 3 and 5 strength, packing winds strong enough to flatten homes and leave communities underwater. Forecasters have warned of potentially devastating storm surges reaching up to 13 feet—enough to make even seasoned Floridians nervous. But instead of focusing on clear communication during such a critical moment, we got a vice president who seemed more concerned with realizing she was on live TV than with delivering a coherent message.
Avenir neighborhood in Palm Beach Gardens @NWSMiami #florida #milton pic.twitter.com/qnotrsSE27
— Brooke Silverang (@WPBF_BROOKE) October 9, 2024
Moments like these make you wonder if the White House is really up to the task. Sure, natural disasters are unpredictable and require careful coordination between state, federal, and local officials. But it would be nice if the person second-in-command could manage a live broadcast without it turning into yet another cringe-worthy moment. But I guess that’s just par for the course with this administration.