**President Biden Faces Press, Discussions Sidetrack Hurricane Helene Relief**

President Joe Biden made a rare and unexpected appearance at the White House press briefing on Friday. While reporters seized the opportunity to question him on various pressing matters, including economic figures and the Middle East, they notably overlooked the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Southeast.

This unique engagement marked Biden's first time standing at the White House press podium since assuming office. He took a moment to address the suspension of the port workers strike, highlighted the day's positive job reports, and hinted at possibly requesting additional funds from Congress for Hurricane Helene relief. Yet, despite the gravity of the hurricane's impact, further inquiries into the relief efforts were surprisingly absent.

Instead, the initial query from a reporter centered on criticism from Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who had labeled the job numbers as "fake." The primary focus of the session then shifted toward international affairs, especially the situation in the Middle East, encompassing Biden's remarks on strikes on Iranian oil facilities and concerns regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's influence on the upcoming U.S. election.

As the election draws near, reporters also expressed concerns about election security and the peaceful transfer of power. One reporter inquired about Biden's confidence in having a free and fair election and whether any preparations or security briefings related to domestic security were underway.

Hurricane Helene, with a tragic death toll surpassing 230, was only indirectly mentioned when a reporter asked about Vice President Kamala Harris's involvement in managing recent crises, including Helene, the port strike, and Middle Eastern tensions.

Biden and his administration have faced critiques, particularly from former President Donald Trump, over the federal response to Helene's devastation. The White House, however, has robustly defended its actions, asserting coordinated federal response efforts. This includes approving emergency declarations, deploying 1,000 active-duty soldiers for search-and-rescue missions, and sending over 4,800 personnel from FEMA and other agencies to the affected areas in North Carolina and neighboring states. Additionally, FEMA has dispatched over 8.5 million meals, more than 7 million liters of water, 150 generators, and over 220,000 tarps.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that, as of Friday, the federal government had allocated more than $45 million in individual assistance for storm survivors. This includes one-time $750 payments from FEMA to eligible applicants in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Although Biden's press appearance broke a prolonged absence, Vice President Harris, who is also running for president, has not held a formal news conference since becoming the Democratic nominee in July after Biden's withdrawal from the race.