With an amazing inability to read the room on Monday, President Biden embarrassed himself sharing his thoughts on the devastating wildfire that has ravaged parts of the United States. Despite initially expressing his reluctance to draw comparisons, he went right on and recounted a personal anecdote about an incident in which lightning caused a minor fire at his home in Delaware.
The President took the opportunity to elaborate on the damage inflicted upon his residence back in 2004. As he stood before an audience at a local community center, President Biden shared how lightning struck a nearby pond, igniting a wire that ultimately entered their home through the air ducts. He humorously mentioned that this happened while he was a guest on "Meet the Press."
President Biden further expressed his gratitude and admiration for the firefighters who risked their lives to rescue his wife and family during the incident. He acknowledged the bravery displayed by these individuals who willingly confronted the flames to ensure the safety of his loved ones.
While acknowledging his own experience of briefly losing his home, the President recognized the immense challenges faced by those who have lost everything due to the recent wildfires. He empathized with the plight of individuals still searching for missing loved ones and struggling to rebuild their lives.
President Biden highlighted the fact that his family had insurance coverage, minimizing any financial burden following the fire. However, he added that the emotional toll of being displaced from their home for almost a year was difficult to comprehend fully.
Critics have called into question the President's repeated retelling of this story, alleging that he has embellished certain aspects over time. A 2004 report from the Associated Press clarifies that the lightning strike resulted in a minor fire contained primarily within the kitchen. Fire officials successfully controlled the heavy smoke within 20 minutes.
It is worth noting that during a separate event in New Hampshire, the President previously stated that his wife was able to leave the burning house unharmed.
President Biden's decision to compare the personal incident with the immense tragedy of the recent wildfires has garnered mixed reactions. Nonetheless, his intention seems to be to convey empathy and understanding toward those experiencing profound loss and devastation.