Joe Biden faced backlash Thursday after making what many described as an inappropriate joke during a briefing on the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

The Pacific Palisades wildfires have displaced thousands of residents, destroyed homes and businesses, and continue to rage across California.

Biden convened senior administration officials to outline the federal response to the ongoing disaster.

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During the briefing, he announced that the federal government would cover 100% of disaster response costs for the next 180 days.

These funds will go toward debris and hazardous material removal, temporary shelters, salaries for first responders, and other safety measures.

“I want to underscore, I told the governor and local officials: spare no expense. And we’re doing literally everything we can at the federal level,” Biden said.

The president then invited Kamala Harris, a California native, to speak.

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Before handing her the floor, Biden made a comment that sparked criticism. “Madam Vice President, I know you’re directly affected. So you fire away, no pun intended,” he said.

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Despite the controversy over his remarks, Biden emphasized the administration’s commitment to assisting California through the crisis.

“That’s going to pay for things like debris and hazard material removal, temporary shelters, first responders’ salaries, and all of the safety measures to protect life and property,” he noted during the briefing.

The president’s remarks come on the heels of his meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom and state firefighters on Wednesday.

Biden had signed a disaster declaration, ensuring federal resources would be made available to aid recovery efforts.

However, he faced criticism then as well after making an unrelated announcement about the birth of his first great-grandchild during the meeting.

“The good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today,” Biden said during the session focused on wildfire relief efforts.

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This is not the first time Biden’s comments during a crisis have drawn criticism.

In 2023, after wildfires ravaged Maui, killing more than 100 people, Biden faced scrutiny for a joke made while meeting with officials on the ground.

During the visit, he stopped to pet a search-and-rescue dog and commented on the dog’s protective boots.

“You guys catch the boots out here?” Biden asked, smiling at the press. “That’s some hot ground, man.”


The Los Angeles wildfires have continued to pose significant challenges for emergency response teams and local communities.

The federal government’s commitment to covering disaster costs has been welcomed by state officials, though Biden’s remarks have drawn renewed attention to his handling of public appearances during times of crisis.

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The administration has reiterated its full support for California as efforts to combat the wildfires and support affected residents remain ongoing.

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