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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Slams Trump and Vance for Election Denial and FEMA Misinformation

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear criticizes Donald Trump and JD Vance for election denial and spreading misinformation about FEMA’s disaster response, urging the need for leaders who prioritize truth and democracy.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks on Sept. 18, 2024, in Frankfort, Kentucky. | Timothy D. Easley/AP

In a fiery appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took aim at Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance over their refusal to acknowledge Trump’s 2020 election loss. Speaking with host Martha Raddatz, Beshear criticized Vance’s evasive responses and Trump’s continuous denial of the election results, stating, “There is no lie too big for Donald Trump and JD Vance.”

Election Denial and Democracy Concerns

Beshear, a Democrat, expressed frustration with Vance’s refusal to openly admit that Trump lost the 2020 election, calling it a failure to recognize reality. “When you ask [Vance] about the last election, all you’re asking him to do is admit reality,” Beshear said. “We deserve to have a Vice President who believes in democracy and can say, yes, Donald Trump lost the last election, and now we’re running in this election.”

His comments came just after Vance appeared on the same show, where Raddatz pressed him on Trump’s loss in 2020. Vance, sticking to his previous statements, acknowledged the election had “problems” but deflected the question, shifting the conversation to concerns about censorship by big technology firms, which he claims affected the vote.

FEMA Response and Misinformation

Beshear also turned his criticism toward Trump and Vance’s remarks about FEMA’s response to recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. He accused the pair of spreading misinformation about disaster aid, referencing Trump’s claim that individuals affected by the hurricanes would only receive $750 in assistance.

“In Kentucky, we went through our worst tornado disaster and our worst flood disaster in our history, and I didn’t have to deal with any of the shenanigans that Donald Trump is putting out right now,” Beshear said. He emphasized that the initial $750 is for immediate needs, but individuals could qualify for up to $40,000 in assistance. “These lies can hurt people,” he added, expressing concern that misinformation could deter people from seeking the aid they deserve.

Heightened Partisanship and Kamala Harris’ Campaign

Despite the misinformation and ongoing election denial, Beshear noted the tight race between the Harris campaign and Trump, even after Kamala Harris’ campaign achieved record-breaking fundraising success. When asked about the partisan divide fueling the close race, Beshear pointed to increasing polarization as a significant factor.

“It’s something that I hope after this election that the Vice President can move us beyond,” he said, hoping Harris could steer the conversation away from “us versus them” politics. “She can remind us that we are all Americans first, and Democrats, Republicans, and independents, second, third, or fourth.”

Conclusion

Beshear’s strong statements reflect growing frustration within the Democratic Party over persistent misinformation and election denial by Trump and his running mate. As the election draws closer, the governor’s critique highlights the importance of restoring trust in democratic processes and ensuring accurate information reaches the public, especially in times of crisis.

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