Donald Trump took almost a week to make a move in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. After critics quickly piled on the president, he took time on Twitter to brag about how he has handled the issue at hand.
Trump on Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico last week with winds reaching over 100 mph. The island has been left devastated, with dozens killed and thousands being displaced without food or water. As the those on the island suffered and waited for help from the United States, Donald Trump was spending time blasting the National Football League (NFL) and its players for protesting the national anthem.
The president's feud with the NFL became headlines news over the weekend, which dominated coverage on political, sports, and entertainment news programming. Earlier this week, Trump finally addressed the damage in Puerto Rico, but came under fire for how he responded. As part of a three-part tweet earlier in the week, the former host of "The Apprentice" made sure to bring up Puerto Rico's "massive debt" to the United States and Wall Street. Despite the backlash that followed, Trump returned to Twitter on September 28 to brag about the effort he has put in.
Puerto Rico is devastated. Phone system, electric grid many roads, gone. FEMA and First Responders are amazing. Governor said "great job!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2017
Taking to Twitter on Thursday night, Donald Trump took time to pat himself on his back for his response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
"Puerto Rico is devastated. Phone system, electric grid many roads, gone," Trump tweeted out, before adding, "FEMA and First Responders are amazing. Governor said 'great job!'"
FEMA & First Responders are doing a GREAT job in Puerto Rico. Massive food & water delivered. Docks & electric grid dead. Locals trying....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 28, 2017
Just an hour before his last tweet, Donald Trump attacked the media for allegedly not covering his hurricane response in a fair manner.
"Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!" Trump posted.
...really hard to help but many have lost their homes. Military is now on site and I will be there Tuesday. Wish press would treat fairly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 28, 2017
Twitter response
Not long after Donald Trump attacked the media and bragged about his actions on Hurricane Maria, critics of the president wasted no time lashing out on Twitter.
"You can't even sympathize with Puerto Rico without bragging about yourself. You are truly insane," one tweet read, before adding, "Maria is your Katrina X 100."
Why is Trump always patting himself on the back for a job so poorly done?
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) September 29, 2017
You are a worldwide embarrassment.
— StevenBoyer (@SteveBoyer5000) September 29, 2017
Everywhere I go people tell me, "Ah, you're American? We don't hate you. We just feel sorry for you."
"Stop bragging while telling us about mass devastation!!!! God! Why can't you just be a decent human being?" Steven Boyer wrote, while stating, "you are a worldwide embarrassment." "Why is Trump always patting himself on the back for a job so poorly done?" Eugene Gu posted.
If you really want all of America to praise you for something you did - resign.
— Alt Fed Employee (@Alt_FedEmployee) September 29, 2017
Maria is your Katrina X 100
— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) September 29, 2017
He said he has so much time on his hands and he's always working.....which makes no sense at all.
— MaryAnn Hemmingson (@MaryaMahtini) September 29, 2017
"You know what would be amazing? If you focus on the issues and not yourself. You know... like a real leader," an additional tweet noted. As the negative reaction continued, it was clear that millions of Americans are not pleased with Donald Trump.