SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
Photo: Getty
In an administration filled with low points, Donald Trump’s behavior this weekend with particularly disgraceful.
Let’s go back a week, when Hurricane Maria smashed into Puerto Rico following the devastated U.S. Virgin Islands, which were hit by both Hurricane Irma and Maria. Trump offered a “stay strong” tweet to the people of Puerto Rico, which is what an American President is supposed to do. Fine. Thursday, however, after the storm moved on, residents realized the enormous damage that the storm left in its wake and looked to the Federal Government for help. **crickets**
If you remember, Trump fell all over himself to visit the hurricane-devastated red states Texas and Florida to offer aid and support. Even Melania strapped on her “hurricane stilettos” to lend support. But when it came to Puerto Rico and its 3 million American citizens, nothing. Why? (Here’s a hint: most American citizens of Puerto Rico are brown people.)
Friday —
Puerto Rico — The entire island is still without power and cell service is virtually nonexistent, leaving relatives in the United States in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
Trump — Nothing on Puerto Rico. Flies to Alabama for a rally on behalf of Senate candidate Luther Strange. Seeing less than rousing enthusiasm when he is talking about the candidate, Trump switches gears and throws the crowd some red meat, as he criticizes NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick who protested police brutality against the black community by dropping to one knee during the playing of the national anthem. Trump, barging into a private business again, urges that the NFL fire any player that does the same. The crowd roars.
Saturday —
Puerto Rico — Citizens line up for hours for what little fresh water there is available.
Trump — Nothing on Puerto Rico. Instead, Trump spends most of his tweeting time stoking the right-wing outrage machine about the NFL, decrying any NFL player who would support such “unpatriotic” actions. Ignoring the reasons behind the protest — bad relationships between mostly white police forces and the African-American community — and suggests that the players are really protesting against the American flag, and the Trump base seems to buy it.
Sunday —
Puerto Rico — Officials from the island begin to plead their case for help from the government on the networks’ Sunday morning news shows.
Trump — Nothing on Puerto Rico. Again, his tweets continue to be focused solely on the NFL. But suddenly, it’s not a one-way conversation. It’s NFL Sunday, and in game after game, dozens of players risk Trump’s wrath by supporting Kaepernick and dropping to one knee themselves. Those teammates that choose not to kneel nonetheless link arms (sometimes with their team’s owner) in solidarity with the players and serve as a rebuke to Trump. In addition, dozens of veterans (a few in their 90s!) post Twitter pictures as they drop to one knee in support of the players.
Monday —
Puerto Rico — Officials remain fixtures on morning TV, as their pleas for help begin to sound more desperate. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz’s stories of the suffering that these U.S. citizens are undergoing are particularly moving.
Trump — More NFL tweets, claiming that Americans are boycotting the NFL. (No evidence of that) But the growing criticism of Trump for ignoring Puerto Rico’s situation must have reached the White House, because on Monday night, he made his first Twitter comment on the island’s dire straits, praising what great shape Texas and Florida are in, but Puerto Rico isn’t because of bad infrastructure and its declaration of bankruptcy (If anyone should be sympathetic with bankruptcies, it’s Trump), essentially blaming the victims for the situation they’re in. (Reminder: they’re brown people.)
Tuesday —
Puerto Rico — Food is virtually gone from supermarket shelves. Power is still out.
Trump — Aware that Monday’s tweet might not have gone over so well, Trump holds a press conference on Puerto Rico. He begins by patting himself for the tremendous reviews on the “amazing job” he’s doing and announces that he’ll be traveling to Puerto Rico to inspect the damage next Tuesday, which he claims is the earliest he can make it. (Can’t interfere with his golf game.) When asked, Puerto Rican officials almost to a person respond that, although FEMA is trying hard with limited resources, there’s no sign of the “amazing job” to which Trump refers.
Wednesday —
Puerto Rico — Still suffering.
Trump — Refuses to give a waiver from the Jones Act, a century-old law that limits the number of non-American ships allowed to enter a Puerto Rican port. There are non-American ships out there with supplies to help the U.S. citizens on the island, and Trump still refuses to grant the same waiver that he gave to both Texas and Florida. (Reminder: they’re brown people.)
And on and on it goes. And the people of Puerto Rico are still suffering.
