The category five hurricane devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, and is seen as the worst natural disasters ever for the island. The US President’s handling of the disaster was panned by political leaders worldwide. Elaine Duke, former Department of Homeland Security Secretary, has now said that Mr Trump wanted to “sell the island” after it was hit by the hurricane.
Despite raising concerns about the hurricane months before it struck, Ms Duke also claimed Mr Trump’s cabinet members mocked her.
Mick Mulvaney, former budget director for Mr Trump, ignored Ms Duke’s calls for an emergency declaration.
Mr Mulvaney then said: “Quit being so emotional, Elaine, it’s not about the people, it’s about the money.”
Mr Mulvaney has said he denies making the comment, and added: “My experience with the acting director was that she rarely got anything right at D.H.S.
“At least she’s consistent.”
Mr Trump has previously said he wanted to buy Greenland from Denmark, and also suggested trading Puerto Rico for the Arctic nation.
Danish Prime Minister Better Frederiksen tore into Mr Trump’s plans to buy Greenland.
He said: “Greenland belongs to Greenland.
“I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously.”
Mr Trump hit back at the Danish PM, and said: “I thought that the prime minister’s statement that it was absurd, that it was an absurd idea was nasty.”
Ms Duke is the latest former official from the Trump administration to criticise the president.
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton famously resigned from Mr Trump’s government over disagreements with the president on foreign policy.
Since then he has been openly attacking Mr Trump, most notably claiming that the president begged China for help winning the 2020 election.
In his book, The Room Where It Happened, he said: “Trump then, stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming US presidential election, alluding to China’s economic capability and pleading with Xi to ensure he’d win.
“He stressed the importance of farmers and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.”