Trump’s Message to Puerto Ricans Without Power: ‘Don’t Believe the Fake News!’
3.5 Million Americans Without PowerÂ
Hurricanes Irma and Maria have left the people of Puerto Rico without power, but Donald Trump has a message to the American citizens there: they need to distrust the free press.
As Business Insider summarizes:
Puerto Rico is still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria that left 3.5 million people without power.
Hurricane Irma, which hit Puerto Rico earlier this month, left one million Puerto Ricans without power. The island was still recovering from the storm’s aftermath when Hurricane Maria hit, crippling the entire island’s electrical infrastructure.
Despite this, Donald Trump began his morning with an attack on San Juan’s mayor and “lazy†Puerto Ricans who want “everything to be done for them,†following it up with an attack on the free press and Democrats six hours later.
Now, Donald Trump again criticized the media for covering Puerto Rico’s destruction—complete with a message for Puerto Ricans.
“To the people of Puerto Rico,†the President of the United States wrote, “Do not believe the #FakeNews! #PRStrongâ€
To the people of Puerto Rico:
Do not believe the #FakeNews!#PRStrong🇵🇷— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
The president continued by claiming that “my administration, Governor [Ricardo Rossello], and many others are working together to help the people of Puerto Rico in every way…â€
My Administration, Governor @RicardoRossello, and many others are working together to help the people of Puerto Rico in every way…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
“……#FakeNews critics,†he continued, repeating a talking point he’d used earlier, “are working overtime, but we’re getting great marks from the people that truly matter!†He again utilized the “PRStrong†hashtag.
……#FakeNews critics are working overtime, but we’re getting great marks from the people that truly matter! #PRStrong🇵🇷
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
“We must all be united in offering assistance to everyone suffering in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the wake of this terrible disaster,†Trump continued.
We must all be united in offering assistance to everyone suffering in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the wake of this terrible disaster.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
He then renewed his attack on San Juan Mayor Carmen YulÃn Cruz, advising that “results of recovery efforts will speak much louder than [her] complaints. Doing everything we can to help great people of PR!â€
Results of recovery efforts will speak much louder than complaints by San Juan Mayor. Doing everything we can to help great people of PR!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
Some reactions, via Twitter. (NCRM cautions, some may be offended by the language):
surrealist part of it all is he thinks they’re watching cable news right now in Puerto Rico. https://t.co/cWOsTZiMub
— Sam Stein (@samstein) September 30, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump
The people of Puerto Rico don’t have power. They R living the REAL NEWS that you’ve ignored & failed them. They are dying https://t.co/S2v1m7aeXf— SarahCA (@SarahFKTRUMP) September 30, 2017
They’re not watching the news because they no longer have televisions, power, or homes, you fucking dolt. https://t.co/ZXKnjGamme
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 30, 2017
They can’t see the “fake news” or any news at all THEY HAVE NO FUCKING POWER YOU MALIGNANT TUMOR ON AMERICA https://t.co/bFIdhvhrOe
— shauna (@goldengateblond) September 30, 2017
THEY DON’T HAVE ANY POWER TO WATCH ANY NEWS. YOU. DINGUS. https://t.co/aBayo6XuAW
— Real Fake P0TUS (@RF_P0TUS) September 30, 2017
They can’t read your tweets, you fucking idiot. Most don’t have power, or water, or homes anymore.
Meanwhile, you’re golfing. pic.twitter.com/90LPria6pL
— Jules (@jules_su) September 30, 2017
Business Insider and other outlets have reported that Puerto Ricans may not get power for another six months:
Puerto Rico may not get power for another 6 months — here’s what you need to know https://t.co/xN0iMr5VZI pic.twitter.com/XEeeSjjRus
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) September 30, 2017
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