Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign has unveiled a new digital ad campaign featuring two former Donald Trump administration officials criticizing the former president's handling of natural disasters during his time in office. The ad, titled 'Withhold,' is a response to Trump's recent attacks on the federal response to Hurricane Helene.
The ad features Olivia Troye, a former aide to Vice President Mike Pence, and Kevin Carroll, a former Trump Homeland Security official, who claim that Trump suggested withholding disaster relief funds from Democratic states based on their political affiliations. Troye and Carroll allege that Trump hesitated to provide aid to states that did not vote for him, citing an instance where relief was delayed to a Democratic state after a wildfire.
Both Troye and Carroll express their intention to vote for Harris in the upcoming election. The ad campaign comes amid Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, approaching Florida.
The Biden administration has faced scrutiny following Hurricane Helene, with Trump and his campaign accusing Harris of inadequate response to the recovery efforts. Harris, in response to the criticism, emphasized the importance of prioritizing support for those affected by the disaster over political gamesmanship.
The ad is part of the Harris-Walz campaign's $370 million advertising reservations for digital and television platforms leading up to Election Day. It is set to air on digital and social media platforms in battleground states starting Thursday evening.
