Puerto Rico, an American territory with over 3 million people, is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Maria.

As of Sunday, just 5 percent of the island has electrical power and only 14 percent of the nation’s cell phone towers are working. Large swaths of the island still lack drinking water. Most roadways are in shambles.

None of that, apparently, has convinced President Trump to change his plans. On Sunday afternoon, he took Marine One from his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey to another golf course in New Jersey. He’s there to watch The President’s Cup, a team competition between the best players in the United States and the world (excluding Europe).

Pres. Trump arrives in New Jersey as he prepares to attend Presidents Cup golf tournament at Jersey City golf club. https://t.co/H0V6WqEvhA pic.twitter.com/XLlISpgU2k — ABC News (@ABC) October 1, 2017

On Saturday, after the Mayor of San Juan criticized the pace of the response, Trump attacked the people of Puerto Rico as lazy and ungrateful. “They want everything to be done for them,” Trump said in a series of angry tweets.


Trump insisted that any concerns regarding Puerto Rico were the result of “Fake News” and “ingrates.” He especially bragged that “all buildings” had now been inspected.

We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico. Outside of the Fake News or politically motivated ingrates,… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017

…people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great Military. All buildings now inspected….. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017

The Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo A. Rosselló, had basically no idea what Trump was talking about. “I’m not aware of such inspection. Of course, there are areas of Puerto Rico which we haven’t really gotten in contact. Perhaps he was referring to a particular set of buildings. I’m not sure,” Rosselló said.


The Washington Post detailed that Trump, holed up in his New Jersey golf course and distracted with the failure of Obamacare repeals and his escalating conflict with the NFL, failed to focus on Puerto Rico in the critical days after the Hurricane.

One week later, he’s back at the links.

UPDATE: Trump dedicated the golf tournament trophy to the people of Puerto Rico and others impacted by hurricanes.