U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) called out President Joe Biden on Twitter Tuesday for apparently falling asleep during a ceremony honoring the victims of the recent wildfires in Lahaina and Maui.
In the video, shared by conservative commentator Sean Hannity and a quote-tweeted by Tuberville, Biden appears to drift off while listening to a speech in Hawaii.
Biden was there to meet with the locals after a massive fire erupted on Maui on August 8. Before that, the National Weather Service warned of dangerous conditions for a wildfire.
As of Monday evening, the official death toll from the fire was 115. According to reports, it has already been named one of the deadliest wildfires in the U.S. over the last century. Officials tasked the Hawaii National Guard to help local law enforcement assist those in need.
The damage caused by the wildfires is expected to cost billions. Moreover, over 4,000 residents will require emergency shelter.
"First, [Joe Biden] disrespected 13 fallen American heroes and their families by checking his watch during a Dignified Transfer," Tuberville tweeted, referring to an incident in 2021 when Biden repeatedly looked at his watch during a ceremony for the U.S. Marines who were killed in Afghanistan in a suicide attack.
"Now, he is falling asleep in Maui," Tuberville continued. "So much for all that empathy the media keeps telling us about."
First, @JoeBiden disrespected 13 fallen American heroes and their families by checking his watch during a Dignified Transfer.
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) August 22, 2023
Now, he is falling asleep in Maui.
So much for all that empathy the media keeps telling us about. https://t.co/nqjPj0nHg1
Tuberville followed up with another tweet, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and included images of the president in both instances.
A picture is worth a thousand words. pic.twitter.com/1NuaIlFyXA
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) August 22, 2023
The president also received harsh criticism for comments he made in a speech earlier that day comparing the devastating Hawaii fires to a small kitchen fire he experienced 15 years ago, the Associated Press reported.
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