President Trump said he only received ‘thank yous’ during his visit to Puerto Rico on Tuesday when reporters aboard Air Force One asked if he had received any criticism during his trip.
“Honestly, I heard none. They were so thankful for what we have done,” Trump said. “I think it has been a great day. We only heard ‘thank yous’ from the people of Puerto Rico. They are great people and it was really something that I enjoyed very much.”
Trump departed Puerto Rico after spending the day meeting with local officials and residents as the island recovers from Hurricane Maria, leaving many without food, water, and power.
Through relief and repair efforts are underway, power may not be returned to the entirety of the island for six months.
Trump criticized the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, on Twitter over the weekend and accused her of demonstrating “poor leadership.” Cruz had previously requested for additional help from the administration while Democrats criticized the administration for not acting swiftly enough.
Cruz expressed support for the work the administration is doing on Tuesday, stating a meeting with White House staffers had been “productive.”
“They REALLY understood the disconnect between how things are supposed to happen and how they really happen,” she tweeted.
Meeting with WH staff productive. They REALLY understood the disconnect between how things are supposed to happen and how they really happen
— Carmen Yulín Cruz (@CarmenYulinCruz) October 3, 2017
“Hopefully the newly open channels of communication with WH staff will put in motion what is needed to accomplish our goal: save lives,” she said in a separate tweet.
Cruz even briefly met Trump on Tuesday, shaking his hand and telling him, “It’s all about saving lives, it’s not about politics.” However, when she appeared on CNN, Cruz did complain about Trump’s remarks about Puerto Rico throwing the U.S. budget out of whack.
Hopefully the newly open channels of communication with WH staff will put in motion what is needed to accomplish our goal: save lives.
— Carmen Yulín Cruz (@CarmenYulinCruz) October 3, 2017
Trump increased aid to Puerto Rico last week by amending his disaster declaration for the U.S. territory, and agreed to ease shipping rules in the hopes of getting aid there more quickly. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, first responders, and the military have been sent to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist those recovering from the aftermath of recent hurricanes.
