[Washington Examiner] Criticized that he is privately complaining about giving too much aid to Puerto Rico, President Trump Thursday afternoon claimed that he has done more for the U.S. island territory than any of his predecessors."I’ve taken better care of Puerto Rico than any man ever," the president told reporters gathered on the South Lawn of the White House.
Trump highlighted what he said was $91 billion in disaster relief that his administration is sending to Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The island territory is still recovering from the damage caused by the storm.
Other estimates put the amount of relief to Puerto Rico at closer to $40 million. Trump appeared to be confusing the amount for Puerto Rico with total disaster assistance appropriated by Congress, most of which was spent on destruction caused by hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida.
"Puerto Rico has been taken care of better by Donald Trump than by any living human being," the president said, in a characteristic third-person reference to himself. "And I think the people of Puerto Rico understand it."
