Geraldo Corrects Fake News Reports About Trump and Puerto Rico

By Cortney OBrien Fox Newss Geraldo Rivera has been in Puerto Rico for a week now following the plights of individuals after Hurricane Maria destroyed large swaths of the island. Thirty-four people have now died in the wake of the storm. However help is on the way. Rivera who got the chance to reunite with his Aunt Ellie has toured the destruction and witnessed the initial relief efforts meaning he has a pretty good handle on how things are operating. As such he felt the need to correct what he calls a slew of fake news" items that are intended to undercut President Trumps efforts on behalf of the Puerto Rican people. That latter scenario may be working - a new Associated Press survey finds only 32 percent of people approve of his response. For one Rivera quickly debunked the false narrative that Trump was not adequately addressing the cholera outbreak. It turns out there is no cholera outbreak. The New York Timess Paul Krugman who tweeted the false report admitted his mistake but not before thousands of people had retweeted it. The president has also been criticized for his rhetoric since visiting the island. For instance he told Puerto Rican leaders they should be proud" they did not have as near as many casualties as Hurricane Katrina. Did he misspeak? Yes but to suggest the president was intentionally insensitive to Puerto Ricos struggle is hardly fair. Theyre special people" Trump told Rivera during his visit to the island. I love the Puerto Rican people. We have to help." His team has done a fantastic" job the president said but unfortunately their work has not been appreciated" thanks to the media. In addition to making up stories the media has been quick to report on San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruzs feud with Trump. She has been slamming Trump for tweeting instead of actually helping. Rivera asked Trump how he felt about her public rebukes. The president observed that Cruz was nice at the very beginning" then got nasty." He mused at the change of heart taking a guess that she was running for office. Well as it happens Cruz is the likely Democratic candidate for governor in 2020. It turns out I was right gee isnt that a shock" Trump said. The president may not be thrilled with the chilly welcome he received from Cruz nor the medias narratives but he had plenty of praise for Puerto Ricos amazing" Gov. Ricardo Rossello as well as the Navy Army Air Force Marines and any other groups and individuals who are devoting their days to the relief effort. Were going to get Puerto Rico back on its feet" Trump pledged. The president and First Lady Melania Trump were embraced by 99 percent" of the people Rivera said. Aid is stepping up but the Puerto Ricans plight is far from over. In his brief conversation with Rivera Gen. Jeff Buchanan who is leading the response noted that they really need fuel." The shipments have been stalled because seaports and airports were closed for quite some time. They are now open. Do you think the worst is over" Rivera wondered. Weve got a long way to go" Buchanan sighed.