Mayor of San Juan to Elaine Duke: ‘This is not a good news story. This is a people are dying story’

“Dammit, this is not a good news story. This is a people are dying story. This is a life or death story,” Cruz told CNN after she was shown Duke’s comments. “This is — there’s a truckload of stuff that cannot be taken to people story. This is a story of devastation that continues to worsen because people are not getting food and water.”

Speaking to reporters outside of the White House on Thursday, Duke said she was pleased with the federal government’s response in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria made landfall there as a Category 4 storm last week. Half of the island’s 3.5 million people lack access to potable water, and food and fuel have become scarce.

“I am very satisfied,” Duke said. “I know it’s a hard storm to recover from but the amount of progress that’s been made, and I really would appreciate any support that we get. I know it is really a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane.”

But Cruz appeared shocked by Duke’s comments, and became visibly upset as she listened to the acting homeland security secretary’s remarks.

“When you are 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. When you have to pull people down from their buildings — I’m sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me,” Cruz said. “I would ask her to come down here and visit the towns, and then make a statement like that which frankly, it’s 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.

“If I could scream it a lot more louder, it’s not a good news story when people are dying, when they don’t have dialysis, and when the generators aren’t working and the oxygen isn’t providing for them. Where is there good news here?”

The Trump administration has received an onslaught of criticism from Democrats and celebrities who said the federal government has been too slow in its response to Puerto Rico.

Some Democrats on Capitol Hill have accused the president of being distracted with the NFL and players who kneel for the national anthem, as Trump spent more time tweeting about the league over the weekend and throughout this week than he did on Puerto Rico.

But in a move that was celebrated, the White House approved a Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico on Thursday, temporarily lifting shipping restrictions that require goods shipping between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-flagged and U.S.-manned ships.

Cruz said she received a phone call from the White House on Thursday, and said the city of San Juan appreciates Trump’s efforts.

“This is a message for President Trump,” she told CNN. “Thank you for calling San Juan yesterday and listening for our mayday call. Sir, there are 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 to the moral imperative that you have taken on all over the world to help those in need. So help us. … Mr. Trump, we appreciate everything you are doing. We know it can be done faster. Help us save lives. We will be forever grateful.”