Trump's attacks on San Juan's mayor spark wide condemnation

Cruz also implied that Puerto Rico had received far more help from corporations and private entities than from the federal government.

Trump responded shortly after, criticizing Cruz's leadership ability in a Saturday morning tweetstorm. He made the remarks while staying at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump's response to Cruz's appeals for help earned immediate and sustained criticism, particularly from Democrats and celebrities, who blasted the president for attacking the mayor of a hurricane-ravaged city from the confines of his golf course.

Cruz issued a swift response to Trump's tweets. "I'll say what I have to say to save Puerto Rican lives," Cruz said on Saturday morning.

Source: CNN

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of "Hamilton" and a frequent advocate for Puerto Rico, told Trump he was "going straight to hell" for his attacks on Cruz.

You're going straight to he... @ Lin-Manuel Miranda

"Don't ever let this become normalized," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy wrote in response to Trump's tweets.

Don't ever let this become ... @ Chris Murphy

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said that the first thing Trump should do when he visits Puerto Rico on Tuesday is apologize for his comments.

First thing Trump should do... @ Ed Markey

Prominent conservative commentator Erick Erickson wrote that he had planned to speak out in Trump's favor Saturday morning but that he had deleted the blog post. "He doesn't deserve it," Erickson wrote.

I was going to say somethin... @ Erick Erickson

Comedian Chelsea Handler compared Trump's Puerto Rico response to Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina. "Seems like someone hates Puerto Ricans," Handler tweeted.

Remember when George bush "... @ Chelsea Handler

"I this it's clear where the 'poor leadership' lies @realDonaldTrump Puerto Rico is part of the United States," tweeted Lady Gaga. "This is our responsibility."

I this it's clear where the... @ xoxo, Gaga

The artist also made a reference to Trump's frequent preoccupation with recounting his Electoral College victory in November, and implied that he was slow to respond to Puerto Rico because it does not have any Electoral College votes.

Oh I see @realDonaldTrump y... @ xoxo, Gaga

Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres chimed in with her own message of support for San Juan's mayor. "I see you, I hear you, I love you," DeGeneres tweeted. "You're a hero."

.@CarmenYulinCruz I see you... @ Ellen DeGeneres

California Rep. Ted Lieu, a vocal Trump critic, called on the president to send help to Puerto Rico "before you golf."

Dear @POTUS: Before you gol... @ Ted Lieu

Kim Kardashian weighed in and asked Trump to "stop tweeting & golfing while people are dying" and to "please step up & help!"

They don#emo#t have power to wa... @ Kim Kardashian West

Kumail Nanjiani, a stand-up comedian and one of the stars of HBO's "Silicon Valley," observed that Trump "never talk this way about a predominantly white community."

He would never talk this wa... @ Kumail Nanjiani

Others also noted the racial implications of Trump's comments. Data journalist Nate Silver wrote that "it totally fits the pattern that Trump is attacking the mayor San Juan. She challenged him and she's a woman (and Hispanic, obviously.)."

So, it totally fits the pat... @ Nate Silver

"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," tweeted Star Trek alum George Takei.

The irony of Trump golfing ... @ George Takei

Actor Chris Evans outlined "a Trump thread in a time of crisis" and called the president "narcissistic," "defensive," and "insulting."

A Trump Thread In A Time Of... @ Chris Evans

Several observers noted that Trump was slamming San Juan's mayor from the comfort of his golf course.

You literally sent this fro... @ rob delaney

"Trump mocks Mayor of San Juan from his private golf club," tweeted comedian Dean Obeidallah. "Next Trump mocks homeless people from Trump Tower."

Trump mocks Mayor of San Ju... @ (((DeanObeidallah)))

Another journalist juxtaposed photos of where Cruz and Trump are currently spending their time. One showed Cruz wading waist-deep into a flooded area in Puerto Rico, and the other depicted Trump's lavish golf resort.

As Trump blasts the mayor o... @ Josh Jordan

Ian Millhiser, an editor at the left-leaning outlet, ThinkProgress, tweeted, "When all of this is done I hope Trump is sentenced to live in the most devastated neighborhood in San Juan."

When all of this is done I ... @ Ian Millhiser

Politico's Josh Dawsey said that Trump's attacks on Cruz were part of an established trend. "Are you all surprised Trump took a swing at San Juan's mayor? She criticized him. The pattern is pretty much tried-and-true, no matter," Dawsey tweeted.

Are you all that surprised ... @ Josh Dawsey

"The situation is also dire in the US Virgin Islands," said former Bush White House ethics lawyer, Richard Painter. "But at least he's enjoying his golf game."

The situation is also dire ... @ Richard W. Painter