Lin-Manuel Miranda, Celebrities Blast Trump Over Latest Disgraceful Puerto Rico Comments
Throughout the week, Carmen Yulín Cruz, mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been pleading President Donald Trump and the U.S. government for expedited aid to the Hurricane Maria-ravaged island territory wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the plea “Help us, we are dying.”
On Saturday morning, Trump, from the comfort of his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, responded with a series of tweets that callously criticized Cruz for her efforts.
Trump’s disgraceful comments and excuses quickly caught the eye of other high-profile personalities who were appalled at the president’s apathy and penchant for score-settling even in the face of a natural disaster. In fact, they were downright furious that Puerto Rico, which is part of the United States, is not receiving the same level of aid as places like Florida and Texas in the wake of the latest hurricane season, with many pointing out that Trump was disparaging Cruz while he himself takes a golfing vacation.
Perhaps one of the most ardent voices advocating for Puerto Rico in the Twitterverse is that of Lin-Manuel Miranda, the actor-singer-writer-composer behind Hamilton and In The Heights, whose family hails from Puerto Rico and who has visited the territory many times. He minced no words when calling out Trump for playing partisan politics during a humanitarian crisis, saying that he is going “straight to hell.”
Trump had begun his cushy weekend with a tirade of tweets about the unraveling crisis in Puerto Rico, promoting his upcoming trip to the island, and complaining about the “Fake News Media.” So, about par for the course.
In The Atlantic, James Fallows called the president’s comments a new low in an already morally-bankrupt eight months in office: “Temperamentally, intellectually, and in terms of civic and moral imagination, he is not fit for the duties he is now supposed to bear.”
For all conservatives’ (and some liberals’) talk about “keeping celebrities out of politics,” it’s worth noting that when there’s a disaster, celebrities are awfully good at raising awareness and cash, and when there’s a leadership vacuum at the top of the actual government, well, someone with a platform will step in and step up. Or maybe it’s just that Rihanna cares more than Trump does.
While the president narcissistically attacked the mayor of an American city—something he does routinely with women of color—Beyoncé Knowles had already dropped a Spanish-language track, with proceeds going to Puerto Rico relief efforts.
Indeed, Lin. Nothing but respect.
Beyoncé Always Makes a Statement on the Red Carpet
Beyonce made her presence known on the red carpet of the 9th Annual MTV Movie Awards in an asymmetrical tie-dye slip dress paired with long blonde wavy locks.
A year later, Beyonce returned to the 2001 MTV Movie Awards in a yellow sheer and embellished midi dress that accentuated her petite waistline and long legs.
Beyonce wore this bohemian-inspired suede dress, designed by her mother Tina Knowles, to the MTV Video Music Awards.
Beyonce celebrated her first film role in the Austin Powers film Goldmember by dressing the part for the premiere.
Beyonce wore a strapless denim patchwork dress, fitted Yankees hat and Manolo Blahnik Timberland boots during her performance with Jay-Z on MTV’s TRL.
Beyonce didn’t always get it right–this fur-trimmed corset and broken satin ball skirt at the VHI Big in ’03 event was a miss.
Beyonce was a stylish glamazon at the Billboard Music Awards in an intricately beaded gold mini frock. She completed the look with gold metal sandals and oversized pendant earrings.
Beyonce was all about the glam at the 2004 Brit Awards. She showed of her phenomenal shape by keeping her look simple in a spaghetti-strapped gold printed slip dress with bare wrists and neck.
At the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyonce paired Farrah Fawcett-inspired curls with a playful gold short suit.
The singer looked sophisticated at the 2005 Academy Awards in a strapless vintage Atelier Versace gown and bold diamond chandelier earrings.
Beyonce is the master of glamour in an exquisite champagne mermaid-shaped embellished gown at the 2005 Cipriani Wall Street Concert Series.
At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, the singer wore another fitted strapless gown. And, again, it was gorgeous.
At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, the gorgeous singer appeared in yet another fitted strapless mermaid-styled gown.
In this glitzy Dolce & Gabbana and metal corset belt, Beyonce was the queen of the 2007 BET Awards, where she won the award for Best Female R&B Artist and the number one spot on every best dressed list.
Beyonce looked stunning at the 2007 Movies Rock Event in this emerald green satin Zac Posen dress.
Beyonce arrived at the 2008 Grammy Awards in a chic sunshine yellow sweetheart gown with a matching neck scarf.
At the 2009 Academy Awards, Beyonce posed in a Tina Knowles House of Dereon original design. This bold embroidered, figure-hugging floral gown fit like a glove.
The singer showed off her curves on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet in a futuristic, metallic Atelier Versace strapless gown.
Beyonce wore a rose-colored satin Stephane Rolland gown to the 2010 Grammy Awards. The plunging neckline, embroidered tribal designs, matching talons and structured shoulder paddings was the perfect semi-formal look for the occasion.
At the 2011 Met Gala, Beyonce turned heads in a black and gold Emilio Pucci cut-out fishtail gown paired with a sleek middle-part ponytail hairstyle.
Beyonce revealed her baby bump at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in this orange one-shoulder Lanvin gown.
The singer attended the 2012 Met Gala in a show-stopping sheer Givenchy couture gown, which was detailed with crystal embellishments, black lace and a ombre feathered train.
Beyonce wore a neon-colored Stephane Rolland gown to the 2012 BET Awards. The large gold metal geometric belt was the perfect accessory to accentuate her waistline and curves.
For the release of her self-titled visual album ‘Beyonce’, the singer wore a Tom Ford black sheer and embellished mini dress paired with the matching thigh-high peep-toe boots.
Wearing a custom ivory Michael Costello sheer floral print gown to the 56th Grammy Awards, Beyonce leaves little to the imagination.
Playing into the ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’ theme at the 2014 Met Gala, the star chose a gothic-inspired, sheer and embellished Givenchy gown.
Just when she’d showed it all on the red carpet, Beyonce arrived to the 2015 Met Gala in a jaw dropping see-through Givenchy custom embellished gown with glittering colored rhinestones in all the right places.
Beyonce rocked a high ponytail and a seductive maroon dress at the Tidal X:1020 event.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 02: Singer Beyonce attends the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Nominated for 11 awards at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, Beyonce wore an appropriately regal gown by Francesco Scognamiglio on the red carpet. The dress featured a feathery neckline that extended out and around the back, giving it the illusion of wings.
Watch: Fashion and Hollywood Celebrities Take a Stand and Declare, ‘I Am an Immigrant’
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