Trump Blasts ‘Fake News’ Accounts of His Puerto Rico Visit – Puerto Ricans Compared It to ‘Playing Go Fetch With Dogs’
‘Why Is He Throwing Things to Puerto Ricans Like We’re Animals?’
President Donald Trump, the First Lady, and several Cabinet members boarded Air Force One Tuesday morning and landed in Puerto Rico at 11:40 AM EDT. And while he cut short his trip to the island territory devastated by two back-to-back hurricanes, for five hours Trump talked with the governor, first responders, and even to a few survivors.
Before even leaving the White House grounds, President Trump set the stage for his visit, once again blaming the people of Puerto Rico form their plight, this time complaining they aren’t working hard enough. “They have to give us more help,” Trump cried to reporters.
During those five hours he was on the ground in Puerto Rico Trump managed to scold Puerto Ricans for throwing the federal budget “a little out of whack“ – something he did not say to the people of Texas or Florida, who already have had billions approved for hurricane relief.
The president also told them to be “proud” they only had 16 people die in the hurricane (it’s now 34) because in a “real catastrophe like Katrina” the death toll would be much higher. (Sadly, it’s likely the Puerto Rico death toll will be too.)
He also met with one survivor and on-camera told the man to “have a good time.” 95% of the island is without electricity and only 44% have drinking water.Â
trump throwing rolls of paper towels into the crowd at chapel. “A lot of love in this room,†he says pic.twitter.com/Q2wDEsYWfQ
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) October 3, 2017
And then, before leaving, Trump – who according to reports spent the day smiling – literally threw rolls of paper towels at survivors who had lined up at a church now being used as a food distribution center.
Above, a photo, below, the video:
President Trump throws paper towels into the crowd at a Hurricane Maria relief event in Puerto Rico https://t.co/FLHYyPsaLD
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 3, 2017
Daniel Dale, a reporter for the Toronto Star who has been covering Trump since he announced he was running for the White House, talked to Puerto Ricans about President Trump’s visit.
“He takes two weeks to visit a disaster zone where 3.5 million American citizens live. He arrives with a smile on his face, makes fun of the situation, shows no empathy, lies and lies on camera as he does 24-7. And then throws paper towel rolls to people in need as if he was playing Go Fetch with dogs,†said Joel Isaac, 27, a New York actor who moved from Puerto Rico three years ago.Â
Most of Isaac’s family is still on the island. He said he had never felt humiliated as a Puerto Rican until he watched Trump’s visit.
“It’s the whole scene where the privileged white man comes to save the brown peasants after they’ve been begging, thirsty and hungry. It’s super disgusting to see, honestly,†he said.
Isaac was not the only one who was offended.
“Does he think this is a show? A game? The first reaction that I had: why is he throwing things to Puerto Ricans like we’re animals?†said Frances Alvarado, 55, a Puerto Rican in North Carolina whose husband has spent three decades in the navy. Of Trump’s performance as a whole, she said, “It’s shameful. It’s degrading. It’s insulting.â€
And yet, right on schedule, at 6:25 AM Wednesday morning President Trump blasted the media for its supposed “Fake” reporting, insisting it was a “great day in Puerto Rico:
A great day in Puerto Rico yesterday. While some of the news coverage is Fake, most showed great warmth and friendship.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2017
Wow, so many Fake News stories today. No matter what I do or say, they will not write or speak truth. The Fake News Media is out of control!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2017
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.
If you find NCRM valuable, would you please consider making a donation to support our independent journalism?
Â
Â
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |