Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff and senior adviser to President George W. Bush, slammed President Donald Trump for "playing politics" during his trip Tuesday to Puerto Rico.
"I don't think he did anywhere near as well as [Monday] when he was talking about Las Vegas," Rove told Fox News" "The Story With Martha MacCallum."
Trump traveled to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico after the island was hit with a Category 4 hurricane nearly two weeks ago. The U.S. territory is still reeling from the storm, with most of the 3.4 million U.S. citizens there without power, potable water, electricity, and food.
Trump was criticized for his behavior and comments after he landed, with some news outlets suggesting he downplayed the catastrophe in Puerto Rico. Trump joked the costs tied to Hurricane Maria had "thrown our budget a little out of whack" and later on tossed rolls of paper towel into a crowd as if they were basketballs.
The president also said Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello "didn't play at all," and was "saying it like it was, and he was giving us the highest grades."
"People like seeing their president but to say as he did earlier [Tuesday], 'Every death is horrible, but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina.' Well, these people are living in something that is just unbelievable," Rove said.
"It's insensitive, and then his comment with the governor. Look, the president showed an unnecessary sensitivity to criticism over the federal effort here. He looks like he wants to be praised. . . . If he had simply said 'I want to compliment the governor on the close relationship we've had' and bring in to bear 'the might of the United States of America to help our fellow citizens in need,' it would have been sufficient. No need to demonstrate a sensitivity to criticism on the federal effort."
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