HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 15, 2016: President-Elect Donald Trump speaks of his relief to have won the state of Texas on Election night during his speech at the "Thank You Tour" rally at the Giant Center (Shutterstock).
President Donald Trump is facing a backlash after blaming the Atlantic Ocean for the federal government's failed response to Hurricane Maria's devastation of the American territory of Puerto Rico.
"This is a thing called the Atlantic Ocean. This is tough stuff," President Trump stated in a Rose Garden press conference with Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy.
President Trump on hurricane response challenges in Puerto Rico: "This is a thing called the Atlantic Ocean. This i… https://t.co/D72QoAjdYi— NBC News (@NBC News) 1506450647.0
The press conference marked the second time Tuesday that Trump blamed the ocean for the humanitarian crisis. Earlier, Trump stated, "it's an island, sitting in the middle of an ocean."
Twitter was appalled that President Trump blamed geography for FEMA's failed disaster response in Puerto Rico.
Here are some of the response:
@BuzzFeedNews @maggieNYT There's this thing we have called THE US NAVY @realDonaldTrump they handle that big blue w… https://t.co/H0a51y2uJT— ZachsMind (@ZachsMind) 1506450768.0
I haven't studied the Atlantic Ocean since 3rd grade, but I'm googling it today as if there's something important I've forgotten about it.— David Jolly (@David Jolly) 1506450269.0
The Atlantic Ocean is gonna get a "TOUGH STUFF" tattoo now— Eric Geller (@Eric Geller) 1506450900.0
The Atlantic Ocean, that's one tough hombre. North Korea, no problem. The Atlantic? It's not pacific, if you know what I mean. Tough, tough.— Jonathan Weisman (@Jonathan Weisman) 1506450156.0
"This is a thing called the Atlantic Ocean" is my favorite Trumpism in months and I don't know why. https://t.co/ri7AFJTX1K— Adrian Carrasquillo (@Adrian Carrasquillo) 1506450724.0
@BuzzFeedNews He can't get timely humanitarian aid to Puerto Rico because of the Atlantic Ocean? Does he understand… https://t.co/GqVEjGQXRX— ellenish (@ellenish) 1506450973.0
@JDiamond1 @maggieNYT Damn Obama left The Atlantic Ocean problem for Trump to deal with.— Brandon Finn (@Brandon Finn) 1506450238.0
@NBCNews I see how that would be hard since Puerto Rico is on the Caribbean Sea, not the Atlantic Ocean.— maria ocasio (@maria ocasio) 1506451335.0
@thehill The Atlantic Ocean didn't seem to be a problem when he built a Golf course there and, as usual, bankrupted… https://t.co/RKu3PWiC0X— Liberal Cynic (@Liberal Cynic) 1506453496.0
"Huge ocean. Many are even calling it an Atlantic Ocean. Billions & billions of fish live in it folks. We're going… https://t.co/CeDSPjVw4s— Ahmed Baba (@Ahmed Baba) 1506442644.0
There's this thing called the Atlantic Ocean. Also this thing called the United States Navy. Also watch him compli… https://t.co/x2EIWrv2YD— digby (@digby) 1506451634.0
@tribelaw He also noted the the Atlantic Ocean was "big". It's this kind of incisive analysis of an ongoing disaster that comforts us.— Mitra Gh, Esq. (@Mitra Gh, Esq.) 1506450912.0
You realize Trump just learned PR was an Island and it is in the Atlantic Ocean. He keeps repeating it to teach others. Asshole.— Irishrygirl (@Irishrygirl) 1506450200.0
