First lady Melania Trump starred in a new public service announcement, asking Americans to pitch in and help hurricane victims who are still suffering from the trio of storms.
‘My determination on behalf of those affected by recent hurricanes remains steadfast,’ Trump wrote in a tweet Tuesday morning, linking to the short video. ‘Please help if you can.’
The first lady’s pitch came five days after the president warned he could not keep the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Puerto Rico forever – and the same day a new CNN poll showed Trump’s hurricane-related approval rating had plummeted 20 points for his handling of Hurricane Maria, which severely damaged the island.
First lady Melania Trump filmed a PSA, in partnership with FEMA, asking Americans to donate to money to hurricane relief just days after her husband seemed to threaten to pull resources from Puerto Rico, which was hit by Hurricane Maria
The Trump administration had weathered both Harvey and Irma without much criticism, with 64 percent of Americans in September saying the president had done a good job.
It marked a high water mark on any issue that CNN had surveyed on, pollsters said.
Now, in October, that number stands at 44 percent, for Trump’s erratic response to Maria.
He’s both complimented the efforts and tussled with Puerto Ricans, including San Juan’s Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz.
Last week he dashed off three tweets that were widely interpreted as a threat to turn disaster relief off.
‘”Puerto Rico survived the Hurricanes, now a financial crisis looms largely of their own making.” says Sharyl Attkisson. A total lack of accountability says the governor. Electric and all infrastructure was disaster before hurricanes. Congress to decide how much to spend,’ Trump wrote.
‘We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!’ he said.
President Trump’s series of tweets last week about Puerto Rico were largely interpreted as a threat to pull disaster relief resources from the devastated island
His wife took a different tone.
‘The president and I have witnessed firsthand the compassion and commitment of Americans as friends, neighbors and strangers continue to volunteer time and money to help one another following the recent hurricanes,’ Melania Trump said in her PSA.
‘Your help is still needed,’ she said.
She suggested Americans should ‘donate to an organization of your choice,’ giving them two websites – NVOAD.org and Ready.gov – as guides for donations.
Melania Trump was also quoted in the White House’s announcement of the PSA, which she filmed in coordination with FEMA.
‘We have certainly seen the unforgiving side of Mother Nature these past few weeks and my thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families so deeply affected by the hurricanes,’ she said.
‘I will continue to lend my voice, time, and resources to help those in need,’ she stated.