San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz tore into the Trump administration on Friday over their response to utter destruction in Puerto Rico caused by Hurricane Maria. On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump responded to the mayor.
What did the mayor say?
Speaking on CNN, Yulín Cruz responded specifically to comments that Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke made when she called response efforts a "good news story." Yulín Cruz said:
Is that what [she said]? Well, maybe from where she’s standing it’s a good news story.
When you’re 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. I’m sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me. Frankly, it’s an irresponsible statement, and at contrast with the statements of support that I’ve been getting since yesterday, when I got that call from the White House.
Dammit, this is not a good news story. This is a "people are dying" story. This is a life or death story.
This is a story of a devastation that continues to worsen because people are not getting food and water. It is not a good news story when people are dying. Where is there good news here. I’m really sorry, but when you have people out there dying, literally, scraping for food — where is the good news?
How did Trump respond?
Trump took to his personal Twitter account to respond to the frustrated mayor:
The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by the Democrats that you must be nasty to Trump.— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1506770354.0
...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 (@Donald J. Trump) 1506770776.0
...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 (@Donald J. Trump) 1506770987.0
The military and first responders, despite no electric, roads, phones etc., have done an amazing job. Puerto Rico was totally destroyed.— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1506771239.0
He also retweeted several videos from U.S. government Twitter accounts showing the government's response in Puerto Rico:
#USNSComfort en route to #PuertoRico, from Norfolk, Virginia to support Hurricane Maria relief efforts. 🇺🇸🇵🇷 https://t.co/HWkyFXw7uw— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸 (@Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸) 1506729625.0
.@USCG crews worked together with the @RedCross, @fema, and members of local #police, #fire and #government to dist… https://t.co/2n4JAcIzYQ— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) 1506730847.0
⚡️ “#AirForce relief efforts in #PuertoRico & #VirginIslands” https://t.co/gonmsZusSe— U.S. Air Force (@U.S. Air Force) 1506697802.0
VIDEO: Elements of the #DoD and @FEMA are providing humanitarian relief for #PuertoRico 🇵🇷 and #USVI 🇻🇮 . https://t.co/veFFxeA7aL— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@Department of Defense 🇺🇸) 1506635087.0
Will Trump visit Puerto Rico?
After Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas earlier this year, Trump made several trips to the Lone Star State to tour the damaged areas and assist with relief efforts. Is he planning on doing the same for Puerto Rico? He confirmed on Twitter Saturday that he and first lady Melania Trump plan to head to the island on Tuesday — and maybe even the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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 (@Donald J. Trump) 1506772546.0