San Juan Mayor Slams White House For Calling Puerto Rico A Good News Story As People Are Dying

San Juan’s mayor responded to the Trump administration’s claim that Puerto Rico is a good news story regarding needed aid reaching the island by saying, “Dammit, this is not a good news story. This is a life or death story.”

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Mayor Carmin Yulin Cruz said in response to the Trump White House trying to put a sunny spin on the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico:

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I’m sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me. I would ask her to come down here and visit the towns, and then make a statement like that, which frankly, it is an irresponsible statement, and it contrasts with the statements of support that I have 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 there’s a truckload of stuff that can’t be taken to people story. This is the story of a devastation that continues to worsen because people can’t get food and water. If I could scream it a lot more louder. It is not a good news story when people are dying when they don’t have dialysis when their generators aren’t working and their oxygen isn’t providing for them.

She then pleaded with the Trump administration to let the disaster response officials do their jobs and get to the victims. The Mayor added, “I’m really sorry, but you know when you have people out there dying literally, scraping for food, where is the good news?”

The Trump administration is more worried about political spin than they are getting aid to American citizens. There won’t be good news until people have the help that they need and the island is being rebuilt.

People are dying in Puerto Rico and the President is taking a weekend vacation at one of his golf clubs.

Trump showing up on Tuesday and making a show of handing out a few hot dogs while hawking some USA hats that are for sale on his website is not a solution. The Trump White House is unfit to govern, as their intentional decision to let people die in Puerto Rico as they slow walk aid is toeing the line toward government murder.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association