2:52
- ABC News
- Donald Trump
- September 30, 2017
Trump slams Puerto Rico mayor
San Juan's mayor had criticized an administration official's comments about aid.
2:52
...Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
...want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Federal workers now on Island doing a fantastic job.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Later in the afternoon, Trump tweeted about conversations he had with U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp, and tweeted out praise for Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello and Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico.
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rossello, is a great guy and leader who is really working hard. Thank you Ricky!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Just spoke to Governor Kenneth Mapp of the U.S. Virgin Islands who stated that #FEMA and Military are doing a GREAT job! Thank you Governor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Congresswoman Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico has been wonderful to deal with and a great representative of the people. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Trump then tweeted out a message calling for unity in offering assistance to everyone suffering in Puerto Rico, and told the country’s residents not to believe the “fake news.” As of Saturday morning, 95 percent of customers are without power in both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
We must all be united in offering assistance to everyone suffering in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the wake of this terrible disaster.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
To the people of Puerto Rico:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Do not believe the #FakeNews!#PRStrong????
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/donald-trump-gty-jt-170930_4x3t_384.jpg\")
The president's criticism of the San Juan mayor drew a strong response from some on Twitter, including famed \"Hamilton\" creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Addressing Trump directly, Miranda said Cruz \"has been working 24/7\" while \"you have been golfing.\"
Trump sent his tweets Saturday from his golf club in New Jersey.
She has been working 24/7.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) September 30, 2017
You have been GOLFING.
You're going straight to hell.
Fastest golf cart you ever took. https://t.co/5hOY23MBvQ
Cruz responded to Trump's criticism Saturday, saying in an interview on MSNBC, \"I was asking for help. I wasn’t saying anything nasty about the president.\"
\"This isn't about me,\" the mayor said. \"We have one goal, it is to save lives.\"
\"This is a time when everyone shows their true colors,\" she added. \"I will continue to do what I have to do, say what I have to say, compliment the people that I have to compliment, and call out the people that I need to call out.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/san-juan-mayor-carmen-yulin-1-epa-jt-170930_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Trump's criticism of Cruz came after her widely-publicized rebuke Friday of acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke's calling the situation in Puerto Rico, with relief efforts progressing, \"a good news story.\"
Duke on Friday afternoon added to her assessment earlier in the week, saying that while she is \"proud\" of the federal response to the destruction on the island, the situation on the ground is still \"not satisfactory.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/elaine-duke-gty-jt-170930_4x3t_384.jpg\")
But, prior to the acting secretary's remarks Friday afternoon, Cruz slammed her earlier comments. \"This is not a good news story. This is a people-are-dying story,\" Cruz said in an interview on CNN on Friday morning.
\"Maybe from where she's standing, it's a good news story. When you are drinking from a creek, it's not a good news story. When you don't have food for a baby, it's not a good news story,\" Cruz said. \"I'm sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me.\"
The mayor also said Friday that she had a \"message\" for Trump, asking him to \"step up\" relief efforts for the \"entire island of Puerto Rico,\" not just the capital of San Juan.
\"This is a message for President Trump: Thank you for calling San Juan yesterday and listening for our mayday call. There are 77 other towns that are waiting anxiously and will be very grateful to you and to the American people if you continue to step up to the moral imperative that you have taken on all over the world to help those in need. So help us,\" Cruz said.
Following Trump's tweets this morning, a senior White House official was asked whether the president will meet with Cruz when he visits the U.S. territory Tuesday.
The White House official said, \"Not sure. She has been invited to FEMA command center several times to see operations and be part of efforts but so far has refused to come, maybe too busy doing TV?\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-gty-jt-170930_4x3t_384.jpg\")
Trump praised military and first responders for the relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
The military and first responders, despite no electric, roads, phones etc., have done an amazing job. Puerto Rico was totally destroyed.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
He also on Saturday morning also criticized the media, claiming that the \"Fake News Networks\" are disparaging the relief work of soldiers and first responders on the island.
REFake News CNN and NBC are going out of their way to disparage our great First Responders as a way to \"get Trump.\" Not fair to FR or effort!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
I will be going to Puerto Rico on Tuesday with Melania. Will hopefully be able to stop at the U.S. Virgin Islands (people working hard).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
The Fake News Networks are working overtime in Puerto Rico doing their best to take the spirit away from our soldiers and first R's. Shame!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Later, on Saturday afternoon, the president posted another message that while slamming the media appeared to attempt to strike a positive tone about the \"amazing job being done\" on the island. \"Great people!\" Trump wrote. It is unclear if he was praising first responders again or others in the U.S. territory.
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