Florida: Joe Biden and Ron DeSantis Put Differences Aside, Show Unity After Hurricane Ian

Following the devastation brought by Hurricane Ian, President Joe Biden is now in Florida to survey the damage. However, he did not survey the damage alone, as he was accompanied by the man criticizing him for months, even pulling off possibly illegal stunts to do so, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

While the two have not been offering kind words to each other in the past, in the face of the tragedy brought about by Hurricane Ian, the two showed that they are united in helping the people of Florida to recover.

According to Reuters, Biden first toured the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast communities by helicopter, before traveling to Fisherman's Wharf where he was personally greeted by Governor DeSantis, who may be challenging him for the presidency in 2024, as well as his wife, Casey. The president and the governor talked together for a few minutes and surveyed the wreckage.

Joe Biden Describes Cooperation as Extraordinary, While DeSantis Appreciates Biden's Help

After surveying the wreckage, the two leaders held a press conference together. They emphasized that even though they are at odds, they will continue to work together on rescue and recovery efforts for Florida.

"I'm just thankful everyone has banded together," said DeSantis, and publicly welcomed Biden into the state. He also said that he appreciated the help Biden has given the state even before Hurricane Ian hit.

As for the man he had been attacking for the last few months, Biden noted that the cooperation had been extraordinary, and stated that Americans across the country help in times of need. He also urged the people of Florida to one day return the favor, according to CNN.

The president also praised DeSantis, telling reporters that the governor has done a good job. He even called his political rival's hurricane disaster response "remarkable."

"We have very different political philosophies, but we've worked hand in glove," said the president, and added that they are in "complete lockstep" in dealing with the crisis.

'Unity' Between Joe Biden and Ron DeSantis Will Only Be Temporary

The animosity between Biden and DeSantis has been well-documented, with it being highlighted when the Florida governor sent a plane full of Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard, an act which has drawn criticism from law enforcement, human rights groups, and the Biden administration.

However, the two did manage to put their differences aside in an earlier tragedy that happened in Surfside, Florida when a condominium collapsed. Biden was quick to lend DeSantis aid, with the Florida governor thanking the president. A few months later, however, DeSantis was back to his usual antics.

During this trip, DeSantis also had a subtle dig at the president, stating that the damage can best be assessed while on the ground as the president surveyed the damage from a helicopter.

According to USA Today, Biden acknowledged that he is "sure that the damage looks a lot worse on the ground," but added that one can see a lot of damage from the air as well.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Biden meets with DeSantis during Florida trip to survey Hurricane Ian damage - CBS News