Biden refuses to answer questions about Maui trip as wildfire death toll hits 111: ‘No, not now’

President Biden refused to remark Thursday on the wildfire tragedy in Maui because the death toll on the Hawaiian island climbed to 111 — saying “no, not now” when requested about his deliberate journey regardless of going through harsh criticism earlier this week for the same comment.

“Are you able to inform us about your Hawaii journey, sir?” a reporter requested Biden underneath the wing of Air Drive One in Scranton, Pa., after the president paid his respects to Ellen Casey, the mom of Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) and widow of the late Keystone State Gov. Bob Casey Sr.

“No, not now,” the 80-year-old president replied. “I’m going to be leaving and I’ll be there on Monday.”

“Why is it vital that you just go?” a reporter adopted up.

Biden didn’t reply the second inquiry, as an alternative saying “thanks” as he turned away to finish the change.

The president set off a media firestorm Sunday by saying “no comment” when requested in regards to the deadliest US fireplace in additional than a century as he left a Delaware seashore.

Biden’s “no remark” drew widespread criticism as a result of the job of president historically consists of providing phrases of condolence and help in occasions of nationwide tragedy.

“I campaigned for you,” former Hawaii legislator Kaniela Ing tweeted Monday alongside an image of Biden enjoyable on Rehoboth seashore “Now, once I lose dozens of my mates, household, and neighbors. This?”

Biden on Tuesday broke his silence in regards to the staggering demise toll at an economy-focused speech in Milwaukee, however at one level appeared to forget the word “Maui” and referred to the island as “the one the place you see on tv all the time.”

“I apologize as a result of I attempt very onerous to maintain my speeches between 15 and 18 minutes, however I acquired to speak slightly bit about Hawaii,” the president additionally stated in an obvious joke.

The White Home introduced Wednesday that Biden would go to Maui on Aug. 21 — taking a break from a deliberate weeklong trip at Lake Tahoe, Nev.

The Biden administration has approved a $700 reduction grant to fireside victims, however even that has come underneath criticism for allegedly being stingy relative to a lot higher spending on different priorities, equivalent to $113 billion in funding up to now despatched to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion.

White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden’s efficiency on Monday, however mispronounced the names of the Aloha State’s two Democratic US senators.

Jean-Pierre known as Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) by the surname “Harino” and misgendered her through the use of the pronoun “he” for the state’s first feminine senator. Biden’s press secretary additionally referred to Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) as “Senator Shorts” and “Sharts.”

“Senator Harino [sic], who I stated the president spoke to only final night time, he thanked the president for the fast help of federal companies have delivered for residents of Hawaii,” Jean-Pierre stated at her each day press briefing, “and so does, has, so has Senator Shorts, Shwots, Sharts — Schatz.”

Jean-Pierre stated Wednesday that Biden will “meet with first responders, survivors, in addition to federal, state, and native officers, within the wake of lethal wildfires on the island.”

“In Maui, the President and First Girl will likely be welcomed by state and native leaders to see firsthand the impacts of the wildfires and the devastating lack of life and land that has occurred on the island, in addition to talk about the subsequent steps within the restoration effort,” she stated in an announcement. “The President continues to marshal a whole-of-government response to the lethal Maui fires, and he has dedicated to delivering every little thing that the individuals of Hawaii want from the federal authorities as they recuperate from this catastrophe.”