Trump defends Puerto Rico hurricane response

Donald Trump said Friday morning that Puerto Rico’s governor approves of his administration’s efforts to help the island recover in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

The president also said a ‘big decision’ would need to be made about how to rebuild the U.S. territory and at what cost.

‘Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello just stated: “The Administration and the President, every time we’ve spoken, they’ve delivered,’ Trump tweeted.

‘The fact is that Puerto Rico has been destroyed by two hurricanes. Big decisions will have to be made as to the cost of its rebuilding!’ he continued.

Puerto Rico’s governor said Thursday of Trump and the White House that ‘every time that we have spoken – I have had an ask – they have delivered’

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said Friday on CNN that 'the administration has responded to our petitions' for aid following Hurricane Maria

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said Friday on CNN that ‘the administration has responded to our petitions’ for aid following Hurricane Maria

President Trump claimed that Ricardo Rossello had said of that White House that 'every time we've spoken, they've delivered'

President Trump claimed that Ricardo Rossello had said of that White House that ‘every time we’ve spoken, they’ve delivered’

Trump forecasted 'big decision' to be made about how much money to spend rebuilding the island

Trump forecasted ‘big decision’ to be made about how much money to spend rebuilding the island

Speaking to Neil Cavuto, Rossello said Thursday on Fox News that ‘fuel is beginning to pick up, although it’s been our biggest challenge to be able to complete the logistic pathway to distribute fuel.’

‘So, the reality is that administration and the president, every time that we have spoken – I have had an ask – they have delivered.’

The governor said Friday on CNN’s ‘New Day’ that the recovery effort was an ‘all hands on deck’ situation both in his government and in Washington.

‘There is a lot of work to do over here. We really need to increase the delivery rates. We really need to enhance our logistics,’ he said.

‘But also from that side, I have to say that the administration has responded to our petitions.’

‘FEMA, Brock Long, has been on the phone virtually all the time with me, checking how things are going,’ Rossello added.

The president has been under fire for his response to the natural disaster in Puerto Rico

The president has been under fire for his response to the natural disaster in Puerto Rico

Food, water and fuel are in short supply in the interior of the island, even as supplies pile up in ports

Food, water and fuel are in short supply in the interior of the island, even as supplies pile up in ports

The Trump administration is receiving increased scrutiny over its responses to the disaster.

Basic necessities like food, water and fuel have been scarce, even as shipments pile up in ports.

Most of the island remains without electricity.

Trump waived a rule on Thursday that has kept non-U.S. ships from bringing aid after Rossello said that restriction was getting in the way.

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