• March 31st, 2023
  • Friday, 09:54:13 AM

3,000 Dead Americans Isn’t an ‘Unsung Success’


Photo: ©Wallis de la Vega Following Hurricane María, Puerto Rico was devastated by the death toll of 3,000 people and severe destruction of the island.

by Jessica Corbett

 

President Donald Trump provoked immediate outrage on Tuesday with his “disgusting” declaration on national television that the federal government’s widely condemned response to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico following Hurricane María—which led to thousands of dead Americans—”was an incredible, unsung success.”

“I think Puerto Rico was incredibly successful,” the president said. “I actually think it was one of the best jobs that’s ever been done with respect to what this is all about.”

“Shame on President Trump,” responded Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). “Puerto Rico is one of Trump’s most significant failures to date!”

Trump’s remarks came during a briefing on Hurricane Florence, a “historic” storm that is currently charging toward Virginia and the Carolinas, forcing more than a million residents to evacuate. The backlash was swift, with critics pointing to the incredibly high death toll after the hurricane struck Puerto Rico last September.

“Success? Federal response according to Trump in Puerto Rico a success? If he thinks the death of 3,000 people [is] a success God help us all.”
Carmen Yulín Cruz, Mayor San Juan, PR

While the initial official death toll of 64 has long been dismissed as ridiculously inaccurate, a government-commissioned study published in late August updated that number to 2,975. Previously, Harvard researchers in May estimated that between 4,645 and 5,740 people died in the U.S. territory due to the hurricane.

In response to the president’s comments on Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—who has criticized the Trump administration’s failed recovery efforts, and introduced an aid package for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands last November—tweeted: “Nearly 3,000 people died. That is not a ‘success.’ That is a tragedy and a disgrace.”

“3,000 dead Americans isn’t an ‘unsung success,’ it’s a national disgrace,” said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). “It’s nothing but disrespect for the memory of those lost in Puerto Rico, torn from their homes, and all those still struggling.”

“Success? Federal response according to Trump in Puerto Rico a success? If he thinks the death of 3,000 people [is] a success God help us all,” said San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, another vocal critic of how Trump has handled the crisis, responded in a series of tweets. “Trump simply does not get it. Thus, his neglect towards Puerto Rico cost about 3,000 lives. Unfortunately, it seems he will never get it.”

 

Jessica Corbett is a Staff Writer at CommonDreams.

 

For More National News: WWW.ELSEMANARIO.US

 

 

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SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA

We are all facing our nation’s most challenging moments in history in maintaining our democracy
and freedoms for all people.

Independent media has been under attack in a concerted effort to dismantle free speech and our rights under the U.S. Constitution. Optimism and activism are key factors in moving forward to sustain our freedom of the press.
As an independent media outlet for over 33 years, The Weekly Issue / El Semanario has maintained integrity in educating our readers and engaging our communities in the pursuit of civic responsibility to maintain our American democracy and create economic restoration for all people.

We appreciate your contributions so that we may continue our efforts in offering news content with honesty and integrity and pushing the founding values of our nation.