Her comments referred to remarks Trump made during a meeting with local and federal officials Tuesday, when he claimed Puerto Rico had thrown the USA budget “out of whack” and compared the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria to Hurricane Katrina, which he called “a real catastrophe”. And many residents are still in need of food, water, fuel and other supplies.
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“They had 72 billion in debt before the hurricanes hit and they had a power plant that didn’t work before the hurricane so we’re going to help them, we’re going do something and were going to get it back on its feet”, the president told Rivera.
Media caption’Why did it take nine days for help to arrive?’
Then-Republican candidate Trump called Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman” during the final presidential debate in October 2016. “Well you know what, they’re dying”.
At least 16 people have died as a result of the storm, according to CNN.
So far, 34 people have died in Maria’s aftermath, compared to the 1,800 or so that perished after Hurricane Katrina, particularly after levees broke and flooded New Orleans. Virgin Islands will “probably” travel to Puerto Rico to meet with him.
President Donald Trump has described his visit to Puerto Rico as “lovely”, saying he only heard praises from residents.
The President was also filmed tossing out paper towels to a crowd of people as he visited locals in the neighbourhood of Gauynabo on Tuesday.
In addition to speaking in Puerto Rico, Trump threw out paper towels to crowds at a church on the island and also handed out flashlights to a crowd.
The president, who has been criticized for his slow response in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria, was “insulting” during his visit, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz told MSNBC Tuesday night. It’s going to have to be, you can say goodbye to that.
“I wouldn’t take it word for word”, Mulvaney said, when asked by CNN’s Chris Cuomo whether Trump meant to “wipe out” Puerto Rico’s debt.
“Well you know what?”
“Sometimes his style of communication gets in the way”, Cruz said of Trump’s comment. “This is common courtesy”, she said.
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For now, the White House suggests more effective tactics, such as prayers. They shook hands and spoke briefly. He did not respond.
