Trump’s Response to Puerto Rico

“This is a message for President Trump: Thank you for calling San Juan yesterday and listening for our mayday call. But sir, there’s 77 other towns that are waiting. They’re waiting anxiously and will be very grateful to you and to the American people if you continue to step up,” Cruz said. “Again, Mr. Trump, we appreciate everything you are doing and we know it can be done faster. Help us save lives. We will be forever grateful.”

It has become obvious that the issue is not a priority to the Trump administration. This criticism began last weekend when Trump went off the handle about the NFL “Take A Knee” movement. All the while remaining silent on Puerto Rico which was reeling from Maria’s landfall last week.

Trump and his White House have insisted that Puerto Rico has remained a continuous point of focus.  The president has mentioned the storm in his social media posts multiple times this week.

But the president also appeared to place some blame this week on Puerto Rico for its dire situation, noting the U.S. territory’s “broken infrastructure & massive debt” in a tweet.

“Once we stabilize, then let’s talk about the debt,” Cruz said on CNN in a second interview with the network. “You know what? There ain’t going to be anybody to pay the debt. If we let them die, nobody’s going to pay the debt.”