Skip to content

6 Things People Think Trump Said about Puerto Rico

A number of statements about Puerto Rico have been attributed to Donald Trump, but not all those claims are accurate. Here are a few of the things Trump was reported to have said about Puerto Rico:

  • That Palestinians should be moved to Puerto Rico. This claim comes from the satirical website, The Mideast Beast.
  • That Puerto Ricans are “invaders” rather than citizens. This comment was made by a Trump supporter, not by Mr. Trump. It was broadcast by the Daily Show, a satirical news program which had a running joke based on comments made outside Trump rallies.
  • That “The dirtiest and thieve-ist of Mexicans are, 100%, from Puerto Rico.” This is sometimes reported as his “least favorite kind of Mexican” or “the worst kind of Mexican.” The Snopes Report found that this completely false story originated with The Farce Report, a political satire site.
  • That he planned to buy Puerto Rico. This claim can be found in a Huffington Post piece clearly labeled, “This post is satire.”
  • That he would revoke the citizenship of Puerto Ricans. Snopes identifies the source of this story as the Adobo Chronicles, a fake news site.

There were also claims that Trump planned to deport Lin-Manuel Miranda, not realizing that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. This piece came from a website devoted to political satire. It was not based in fact.

None of these claims were based on facts of any kind. They were part of the 2016 fake news storm.

Trump has made a single statement on Puerto Rico. The image below is a photo of the document.

This is the full text of the statement, which was released to journalists during Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign:

There are 3.7 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico.  As citizens, they should be entitled to determine for themselves their political status. I am firmly committed to the process where Puerto Ricans might resolve their status according to Constitutional and Congressional protocols. I believe the people of Puerto Rico deserve a process of status self-determination that gives them a fair and unambiguous choice on this matter.  As president I will do my part to insure that Congress follows the Constitution. The will of the Puerto Rican people in any status referendum should be considered as Congress follows through on any desired change in status for Puerto Rico, including statehood.

This statement was also on the official Trump campaign website briefly. Download the document.

Trump has mentioned Puerto Rico in interviews. See the stories on these comments:

As president, Donald Trump will doubtless make more comments and statements about Puerto Rico in the future, and the Puerto Rico Report will report on those statements faithfully. At this point, the statement shown here is his only official statement.

1 thought on “6 Things People Think Trump Said about Puerto Rico”

  1. “SILENCE TO DISCRIMINATION; SUPPORTS INJUSTICE!”
    *TRUMP; McConnell–Federal discrimination against Puerto Ricans!*
    The truth is—many have witness Trump say—“Puerto Rico is one of the most corrupt places on Earth”… “The Puerto Rico Government is corrupt or inept…”; “ (I’m) absolutely against Statehood…” and other things that generalize o STEREOTYPE Puerto Ricans as “corrupt”; goes against the grain of Fair Treatment-Equal Rights enshrined in our “WE THE PEOPLE” US Constitution… Plus, Trump’s Chief of Staff has, also, generalized and STEREOTYPE by calling Puerto Ricans “corrupt “in news interviews…

    Plus, TRUMP has lied repeatedly about Puerto Rico receiving $92 Billion in Federal Disaster Funds, when the facts are that Puerto Ricans have only received about $12 Billion for the worst disaster in US History…

    Then, the Federal Government, uses “corruption” as an excuse (not used on States) to hold needed Federal Disaster Funds that, by Law, correspond to fellow US Citizens-American Veterans in the US Territory of Puerto Rico (which has more US Citizens than 22 States); which still suffers from the Maria and other Hurricane disasters.

    US Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has said that he would block any Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Bill; not bring it to the floor of the US Senate to be voted upon… FOR NO GOOD REASON!

    Trump and US Congress (includes McConnell) must do right; it is UN-AMERICAN to not provide–FAIR Treatment-Equal Rights for ALL US Citizens-American Veterans; not just some– per our US Constitution-“WE THE PEOPLE”; US Flag that represents all States and Territories-ALL US Citizens-the PEOPLE!

    US Territory Puerto Rico- has more US Citizens-American Veterans than 22 States; are the 2d largest US Hispanic Ethnic Group (about 10 Million strong) with a lot more residing in the States than in PR. But, there is a big exodus to the States that taxes our Local resources; hurts PR’s economy… Plus, US Citizens-American Veterans in PR, have: NO Vote for their US President; No just representation in the US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws-Funds; NO permanent statutory US Citizenship …; NO FAIR or level playing field!

    The Federal Government should be the SERVANT of ALL the PEOPLE; NOT the MASTER of SOME! The People should not suffer for the sins of their Government—Federal, State or Territory!

    Patriots of True Grit will stand up for right; against Trump’s and OTHERS—who lie, insult, stereotype—are UN-AMERICAN, as we Guard against a Tyranny of a Majority!!

    After 120+ years (since 1898) of Federal discrimination against Puerto Ricans, THE TIME IS NOW TO:
    SOLVE- The Federal Government should do its DUTY-provide FAIR TREATMENT-EQUAL RIGHTS for ALL “WE THE PEOPLE” (not some)! Take concurrent ACTION-Fix, with PR Government–
    “Economic-Jobs; Fiscal; Infrastructure; Humanitarian; Status-Equality-Crisis”
    • Federal-US SUPREME Court: Overturn/revoke discriminatory and racist Insular Cases (1901-1925+)
    • PASS HR 4901; Incorporate; grant STATEHOOD; admit fellow loyal US Citizens-US Veterans– to our “UNION of STATES” with own– STATE- PR Identity (Customs and traditions); Constitution; Flag; and Sovereignty; UNITED- under our US Constitution-noble US Flag-that represents ALL the PEOPLE-States and Territories.
    **ALTERNATIVE- do Referendum on NON-Territorial Constitutional defined OPTIONS:
    *STATEHOOD vs INDEPENDENCE vs INDEPENDENCE w/ PACT of “Free Association*
    *NOTE: Those with a non-permanent statutory US Citizenship, even if residing in the States, should participate in any Status Plebiscite, because the outcome could affect them (can lose US Citizenship).

    UNITED-With Truth, Reason, Courage, and Civic Action-for the Good of ALL!

    “Patriots’ cry for Justice; a call to Arms (Civic Action)–Equal Rights for ALL!”
    Let the TRUTH liberate ignorance! May the “FORCE” of the “UNION” be with you!

    *NOTE: Those with a non-permanent statutory US Citizenship, even if residing in the States, should participate in any Status Plebiscite, because the outcome could affect them (can lose US Citizenship).

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to our Magazine, and enjoy exclusive benefits

Subscribe to the online magazine and enjoy exclusive benefits and premiums.

[wpforms id=”133″]