Vice President Kamala Harris has faced backlash for appearing on the explicit podcast “Call Her Daddy” while the death toll from Hurricane Helene continued to rise. Critics, including Donald Trump Jr., expressed outrage on social media, accusing Harris of prioritizing media appearances over addressing the ongoing disaster relief efforts. The podcast interview, recorded earlier in the week, focused on topics such as abortion, and it is set to air next week. Critics highlighted the timing of her appearance as reports emerged that the hurricane had claimed over 200 lives across several southeastern states.
Trump Jr. took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Americans are dying, and this is how the sitting Vice President is spending her time!” He and others emphasized the contrast between Harris’s media activities and the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, particularly in areas such as North Carolina, where relief efforts were still underway.
Other critics pointed to Harris’s delayed response to visiting affected areas, as she and President Joe Biden did not tour the devastation until Wednesday, two days after former President Donald Trump visited Georgia to assess the damage and call for more aid. By the time of the podcast recording, reports indicated that cadaver dogs had been deployed to help find victims in the hardest-hit regions, such as Asheville, North Carolina.
Hurricane Helene has left many communities without power and facing significant recovery challenges. Despite the criticism, Harris has yet to comment on the controversy surrounding her podcast appearance.