Trump on Puerto Rico: I’d give myself a 10

by Jordan Fabian - 10/19/17 12:31 PM ET

President Trump on Thursday gave himself a perfect rating for his response to the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico.

“I would give myself a 10,” Trump said when asked by reporters how he would score his efforts, on a one to 10 scale.

Trump spoke during a meeting with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, who is in Washington to push the federal government to provide disaster relief for the island.

“We have provided so much, so fast,” Trump said, adding the disaster in Puerto Rico was “worse than Katrina.”

{mosads}

The president’s self-assessment is at odds with the opinions of many in the U.S. territory, who have criticized the administration’s response.

Rosselló declined to rate the federal relief efforts, even after Trump turned to him, touched his arm and asked “did we do a great job?” He repeatedly said that the White House has answered “all of our petitions.”

Roughly 80 percent of the island remains without electricity and almost 30 of the island still does not have access to clean water, according to Puerto Rican government figures.

The House last week passed a $36.5 billion aid package for Puerto Rico and other areas hit by natural disasters. The Senate is soon expected to consider the measure.

The governor met with GOP Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), whose state has a large population of Puerto Ricans, before heading to the White House.

Vice President Pence, Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long and White House budget director Mick Mulvaney also participated in the meeting.

– Updated at 1:05 p.m.

Tags disaster relief Hurricane Maria Marco Rubio Mick Mulvaney Puerto Rico