Tag: Disaster

WASHINGTON — The politics of natural disasters can be tricky for a president. A look at how presidents have grappled with the challenges and opportunities of disaster politics: ___ Trump is not known for shows of empathy and relishes fights he thinks will resonate with his core supporters. That includes a bitter and lasting brawl with Puerto Rico in the year since the U.S. territory was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Trump’s first post-Harvey trip to Texas generated blowback for his failure to meet with victims of the storm. “People went out in their boats to watch the hurricane. Even as Hurricane Florence approached the Carolinas this week, Trump rejected that count and griped that it’s the product of Democrats trying to make him “look bad.” He also tweeted that San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, a frequent Trump critic, is “incompetent.” “The victims of Puerto Rico and the people of Puerto Rico in general do not deserve to be questioned about their pain,” said Gov. At one point, as the two shook hands, Obama put his left hand on Christie’s right shoulder. The storm is blamed for 182 deaths and cost about $70 billion in New Jersey and New York. The moment was preserved in photographs and generated criticism that he didn’t come in person.