Trump: ‘We’ll Be There’ for Puerto Rico, a Day After Critical Messages
The issue of federal response to the tragic hurricanes that destroyed Puerto Rico is a controversial issue. Many argue that while the troops and emergency responders are working tirelessly to help however they can, the federal government sent aid too late and not in a large enough amount. Donald Trump’s commentary on this argument raised fear in many, as he stated via Twitter “We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!”, just one day after blaming the leadership of Puerto Rico for the disaster that is their economy. People interpreted his tweet as him pulling federal help from Puerto Rico, but it was later made apparent that this was not the case. This was not the first circumstance where Trump’s responses via Twitter have caused havoc in those opposing him. He has tweeted in the past, statements that appeared as if he were blaming the island for the crisis and attempting to refute those who do not believe there has been a strong enough federal response. And, while at times he offers words that restores people’s faith in the government and what they will do for this poor island, Puerto Rico is still in a state of complete disaster. On a positive note, “The House on Thursday approved $36.5 billion more in aid to Puerto Rico and other areas hit recently by natural disasters, adding on to a $15.3 billion relief measure in September.” This immense amount of funds provide hope for the people of Puerto Rico and show that while slowly, aid is coming and increasing.
- What are your thoughts on Donald Trump’s tweets about Puerto Rico?
- Is there enough federal help in Puerto Rico?
- If it were up to you, what would your method of aiding Puerto Rico be?
1. I deduce that Donald Trump has a very obvious inferiority complex. Although he's rich and famous (and the President!!!), he still takes his time to bully and insult anybody that comments on him negatively, and creates false facts to boost his public image in times of incompetency. His tweets about removing first responders is terribly misinformed, and leads me to think that he is just saying that for the sake of saying it. I'm not a political analyst, but Donald Trump has failed to recognize the urgency of the Puerto Rican natural disaster, and the larger political/economic crisis that surrounds the island.
ReplyDelete1. Donald Trump wants to scapegoat Puerto Rico for screwing up his budget, even though he should leave enough money for emergencies. Personally, Trump doesn't care about Puerto Rico because it is a majority Hispanic commonwealth.
ReplyDelete2. I think that the government should send more help to Puerto Rico, because there is people with not enough food or shelter
3. As President, I would cut cooperate intensives and tax breaks in order to afford to send food and supplies to Puerto Rico
2. I believe that Puerto Rico needs more Federal help because there are still millions of Americans who are dying due to the shortages of food, water, clothes and basic necessities that can be donated. The federal government needs to have enough money during times of such crisis in order to help the Americans as much as possible. However, it is saddening to see that the federal government is not providing adequate help. For the sake of humanity the federal government should giver more time, money and resources into helping all the unfortunate Americans in the Puerto Rico.
ReplyDelete1. Trump's tweets in regard to the crisis in Puerto Rico come off as course and point out an underlying difference in how he has treated a similar event in Texas. Whereas he talked of support for Texas until it was no longer needed, he seems to be all excuses with Puerto Rico. He cites the fact that their electrical grid was already a mess before the storm, or the fact that they are in debt. It comes off as insensitive and makes one wonder how much their geographic position and ethnic makeup is influencing Trump's view of them as Americans and his citizens.
ReplyDelete3. Honestly, the best solution at his point is to either let hem have their independence or made them the 51st state. It seems crazy to me that we are so engrossed over giving aid to a population that doesn't even have the right to vote. There is no political power exerted on the federal government by Puerto Rico because it's not a state, and that is the reason that this is happening. Governing over these people without letting them vote is ridiculous to me, and we should end this responsibility to non/quasi citizens that we have.
ReplyDeleteTrump’s tweets about Puerto Rico were highly insensitive and not the least bit presidential. He had previously blamed the leadership for the territory’s ongoing crisis while they were doing everything they could to help the situation, but as president, he was sitting behind his screen criticizing the local leadership, essentially doing nothing. Trump has an obvious sense of superiority over those in Puerto Rico, and from his tweets, it is not difficult to realize that he doesn’t actually seem to care about the people in Puerto Rico. Not only does he lacks clarity in the urgency the disaster in Puerto Rico, but he also shows his limited understanding on the entire Puerto Rico crisis.
ReplyDelete2. I don't think there is enough federal help in Puerto Rico. They were clearly struggling and people needed more support more quickly. We were not there fast enough and not with enough aid and support. There were still so many people who were dying and suffering because of lack of goods and support. I think if we had amped up our federal aid for Puerto Rico, less people would have died ultimately.
ReplyDelete1. As usual, Donald Trump's tweets about Puerto Rico make excuses, blame others, and exaggerate. The tweets he made specifically about Puerto Rico show how he is not taking responsibility for a US territory and tries to distract his followers from his lack of action by bringing attention to the supposed faults of other leaders. His casualness in his tweets also show that he does not feel an urgent need to help, and the way he refers to them as "that island" shows that it is too far away for him to care despite it being one of his many responsibilities as the president. Finally, the act of tweeting itself, regardless of the content of the actual tweets, demonstrates his laziness and how he is so quick to blame others and sit on his phone instead of trying to help.
ReplyDelete3. If this situation were up to me, the best thing that can be done for Puerto Rico is to send people and aid through care packages, deployments, etc. Not more than what the US can offer, but enough to impact the country, since they are in great need of assistance.
ReplyDelete1. I don't think Trumps tweets were appropriate. Although this is how he might feel and it may be true the timing of his tweet was very uncalled for. This tweet just wreaked more havoc as the people in Puerto Rico scramble to get help.
ReplyDelete3. While giving money to Puerto Rico if definitely helpful I would do other things as well. I feel that what would be most benficial is sending even more man power, sending more disaster crews and rescue teams to help begin the cleanup and rebuilding process. More help needs to be send now instead of later especially.
ReplyDelete1. I do not think that President Trump is making enough effort on social media to grow awareness for Puerto Rico. Trump's tweets are not very appropriate for this time, as many people in the United States are grieving the tragedies in Puerto Rico. I think that President Trump should make a more distinct effort to grow awareness and raise money.
ReplyDelete