Criticized that he is privately complaining about giving too much aid to Puerto Rico, President Trump Thursday afternoon claimed that he has done more for the U.S. island territory than any of his predecessors.
“I’ve taken better care of Puerto Rico than any man ever,” the president told reporters gathered on the South Lawn of the White House.
Trump highlighted what he said was $91 billion in disaster relief that his administration is sending to Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The island territory is still recovering from the damage caused by the storm.
Other estimates put the amount of relief to Puerto Rico at closer to $40 million. Trump appeared to be confusing the amount for Puerto Rico with total disaster assistance appropriated by Congress, most of which was spent on destruction caused by hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida.
“Puerto Rico has been taken care of better by Donald Trump than by any living human being,” the president said, in a characteristic third-person reference to himself. “And I think the people of Puerto Rico understand it.”
The president’s remarks came after he reportedly expressed frustration in a meeting with Senate Republicans Tuesday over the amount of aid that the U.S. was giving Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican leaders’ management of the money.
[Related: Trump administration yet to deliver much of the disaster funds it owes Puerto Rico]
Trump also publicly criticized San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello Thursday for their handling of the disaster relief money.
“You do have a mayor of San Juan that frankly doesn’t know what she is doing. And the governor — they gotta spend the money wisely,” the president said. “They don’t know how to spend the money, and they’re not spending it wisely.”
Trump also said that he is giving $29 billion to Texas and $12 billion to Florida, both of which suffered devastating hurricanes in 2017.
The president reiterated his support for Puerto Rico, emphasizing that he was giving them more money than they had ever received.
“And, frankly, the people of Puerto Rico, I really have a great relationship with them,” Trump said. “And I think when it comes time, they really do appreciate it.”
Puerto Rican voters could be a critical voting bloc for Trump in 2020. Florida, a key swing state, has a large population of Puerto Ricans.
[Read more: Bipartisan pair introduces Puerto Rico statehood bill in Congress]
