Almost two weeks after Hurricane Maria touched down in Puerto Rico, Donald Trump is finally making a move to help out the United States territory. While addressing his upcoming plans on tax reform, the president gave an update about the situation regarding Puerto Rico, but seemed frustrated with the optics.

Trump on Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria ripped through Puerto Rico nearly two weeks ago, leaving a path of devastation and destruction in its path. The storm reached winds over 100 mph, destroying thousands of homes and leaving the majority of the island without power or water.

The main airport is out of commission, as residents have struggled to communicate with loved ones, and have been unable to leave the island for safer grounds. One of the water dams is on the brink of collapse, in what experts believe could bring catastrophic damage that would take decades to recover from. Donald Trump has since come under fire for his slow response, as he's spent more time feuding with the National Football League (NFL) over whether or not players have the right to protest the national anthem. When the former host of "The Apprentice" finally addressed the issue on social media, he made sure to point out that Puerto Rico is in "massive debt" to the United States. As reported by NBC News on September 29, the president once again made controversial remarks in regards to the issue at hand.

While speaking about tax reform in Washington, Donald Trump stressed how difficult it will be to help Puerto Rico, complaining about how the island is surrounded by "Big Water." "All appropriate departs of our government, from Homeland Security to defense, are engaged fully in the disaster and the response and recovery effort that has probably never been seen," Trump said.

"This is an island, surrounded by water," Donald Trump said, before adding, "Big water. Ocean water." "The government of Puerto Rico will have to work with us to determine how this massive rebuilding effort...will be funded," the president noted "And what we will do with the tremendous amount of existing debt already on the island," he concluded.

Moving forward

As Donald Trump continues to push the fact that Puerto Rico will have to pay back the funds used by the United States in the effort to help those in need on the island, many Americans have blasted the president for his remarks. Despite Trump insisting he has had a successful presidency, his approval rating is down to just 35 percent in the most recent round of polling.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED