President Joe Biden grabbed attention on Friday during a California wildfires briefing by whistling loudly in the Oval Office to quiet the media’s questions, Daily Mail reports.
As reporters shouted questions about the Middle East and Ukraine, Biden put his fingers to his mouth, whistled, and said, “Whoa, hey, I’ll talk later this afternoon about a number of things you’re asking about. But let’s focus on this issue now.”
The wildfires raging through Southern California have claimed 10 lives and caused immense destruction, with over 34,000 acres burned and 180,000 residents under evacuation orders. Biden has faced mounting challenges in responding to the disaster while juggling other pressing matters.
During Friday’s briefing, Biden assembled vice president Kamala Harris and senior officials for an update. Harris, a California native whose Brentwood home was threatened by the blazes, described the scene as “apocalyptic.”
In a separate briefing on Thursday, Biden caused a stir when he told Harris, “I know you’re directly affected, so you fire away,” prompting her to make a face. Recognising the unintended pun, he quickly added, “No pun intended.” He repeated the phrase several more times, sparking online debate over his remarks.
On Wednesday, while visiting a Los Angeles fire station, Biden shifted focus from the devastation to share a personal moment. He announced the birth of his first great-grandchild, saying, “My eldest granddaughter had a 10-pound, four-ounce baby boy,” after initially misstating the infant’s gender.
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire, now 6% contained, and the Eaton Fire, still uncontrolled, have ravaged Los Angeles, consuming over 10,000 structures. Iconic Sunset Boulevard lies in ruins, with luxury vehicles abandoned amid smouldering debris. The damage is projected to cost up to $150 billion, with Mayor Karen Bass facing criticism over the city’s response.
Biden declared a major disaster earlier in the week, pledging federal aid to cover recovery efforts for the next 180 days. “We are with you. We’re not going anywhere,” he assured Californians.
As Harris cancelled her foreign trip to assist with the crisis, Biden reiterated his commitment: “We expect there may be a temporary break in the winds, but in some areas, the winds are likely to continue well into next week.”
