Trump Calls Puerto Rico Leaders “Incompetent,” Says He Is The “Best Thing” To Ever Happen To Island After Hurricane

President Donald Trump said on Twitter Tuesday that he considered himself the “best thing” that ever happened to Puerto Rico.

Trump also called the territory’s politicians “grossly incompetent” for misusing federal aid his administration provided in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in September 201 and killed more than 3,000 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.

“Puerto Rico got 91 Billion Dollars for the hurricane, more money than has ever been gotten for a hurricane before, & all their local politicians do is complain & ask for more money,” the president tweeted. “The pols are grossly incompetent, spend the money foolishly or corruptly, & only take from USA.”

“The best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico is President Donald J. Trump,” he continued. “So many wonderful people, but with such bad Island leadership and with so much money wasted. Cannot continue to hurt our Farmers and States with these massive payments, and so little appreciation!”

On Monday, the Senate rejected competing disaster aid proposals. Puerto Rico’s politicians criticized Trump’s administration for its lackluster response to the storm, which included the president throwing rolls of paper towels at local residents. Many Democratic lawmakers and others also condemned the fact that the initial death toll was severely underreported, with some even calling for an investigation into the matter. In February, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long resigned after two turbulent years that included him seemingly defending the White House’s report on the death toll in Puerto Rico. Last year, Trump called his response to Hurricane Maria an “unsung success,” a remark that also drew strong rebuke and mockery.

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This week, The Washington Post reported that Puerto Rico has received roughly $11 billion in federal aid, although $41 billion in total is said to be en route to the island.

Trump also went after San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, calling her “crazed and incompetent” and blasted Democrats for allocating more money to Puerto Rico than to farmers in the mainland United States.

In addition to the huge loss of electricity and running water that Puerto Rico endured in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the territory also suffered a severe mental health crisis.

Article by Pablo Mena

Writer for uPolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

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