They’ve suffered through a devastating hurricane, only then to be attacked by US President Donald Trump.
But Puerto Ricans have found an unlikely defender in Hollywood celebrities, as names like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez and Star Trek’s George Takei have rallied around the devastated island of US citizens.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s takedown of the Commander In Chief was especially brutal, with the Hamilton creator tweeting: ‘You’re going straight to hell, @realDonaldTrump. No long lines for you. Someone will say, “Right this way, sir.” They’ll clear a path.’
Under seige: Suffering Puerto Ricans have found an unlikely defender in Hollywood celebrities
Harsh: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s takedown of the Commander In Chief was especially brutal, with the Hamilton creator tweeting: ‘You’re going straight to hell’; here he is seen in Hamilton
The war of words began when President Trump took to Twitter Saturday to blast San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, calling her ‘nasty,’ and saying the American citizens in Puerto Rico expect handouts.
Trump tweeted: ‘The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by the Democrats that you must be nasty to Trump.’
‘Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help.’
Another nasty woman? The war of words began when President Donald Trump took to Twitter Saturday to blast San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, calling her ‘nasty’
‘Poor leadership’: Trump also said the American citizens in Puerto Rico expect handouts
Lashing out: The 45 President of the United States unleashed his tirade in the early hours of Saturday
The Grammy Award winning composer wasn’t the only celebrity critical of the 45th President of the United States of America.
Lady Gaga took to social media to blast the former reality TV star, writing ‘Oh I see @realDonaldTrump you’re not helping PR because of the electoral votes u need to be re-elected #Florida=29 #Texas=38 #PuertoRico=0’
In an earlier Tweet she had written: ‘I think it’s clear where the “poor leadership” lies @realDonaldTrump Puerto Rico is part of the United States. This is our responsibility.’
The Joanne singer’s statements were in reference to Puerto Rico’s complicated relationship to the country Trump leads. As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Ricans are by law natural-born US citizens but cannot vote in elections.
Joining forces: The Grammy Award winning composer wasn’t the only celebrity critical of the 45th President of the United States of America
No Applause: Lady Gaga took to social media to blast the former reality TV star
Learned lady: The Joanne singer’s statements were in reference to Puerto Rico’s complicated relationship to the United States
On another social media site, Jennifer Lopez weighed into the debate.
The Shades of Blue actress posted a photo contrasting Carmen Yulín Cruz wading through waist deep flood water in Puerto Rico with Trump casually tossing a golf ball during one of his frequent golf trips.
J-Lo captioned the photo ‘Photos were taken five minutes apart. Couldn’t make this up folks. #shameful.’
Contrasts: The Shades of Blue actress posted a photo contrasting Carmen Yulín Cruz wading through waist deep flood water in Puerto Rico with Trump casually tossing a golf ball
Close interest: the 48 year old singer/actress, shown here in March 2017, is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents
Star Trek actor George Takei picked up on the same contrast between the San Juan Mayor’s rescue efforts and Trump’s apparent lack thereof.
The LGBTI activist posted the same pic of Carmen Yulín Cruz shaking a Puerto Rican resident’s hand while wading through water, contrasting the image with Trump’s own tweets criticizing the San Juan mayor.
Takei captioned the image: ‘The irony of Trump golfing and tweeting—saying the mayor of San Juan wants “everything to be done for them”—it’s [as] thick as his skull.’
Great minds: Star Trek actor George Takei picked up on the same contrast between the San Juan Mayor’s rescue efforts and Trump’s apparent lack thereof
Live long and prosper: The Star Trek actor has a long history of social and political activism. Seen here in September 2017.
Not every celebrity message took direct aim at Trump, however.
Ellen Degeneres tweeted a statement of support for the beleaguered Puerto Rican politician.
It simply read: ‘.@CarmenYulinCruz I see you, I hear you, I love you. You’re a hero.’
Helping hand: On Saturday Ellen DeGeneres tweeted a statement of support for the beleaguered Puerto Rican politician
One love: Ellen, pictured here with now wife Portia de Rossi at an event in 2005, tweeted: ‘.@CarmenYulinCruz I see you, I hear you, I love you. You’re a hero.