The image of former President Donald Trump casually hurling rolls of paper towels into a crowd of hurricane survivors in Puerto Rico remains one of the most enduring and criticised moments of his presidency. The incident, which occurred during a 2017 visit to a San Juan distribution centre, has resurfaced, highlighting the deep rift between his administration and the US territory.
Mr. Trump travelled to the island after Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, had devastated infrastructure and left thousands without power, water, or basic supplies. The visit was intended to showcase federal support, but it was quickly overshadowed by his behaviour on the ground.
During a stop at a crowded gymnasium serving as a relief centre, the President was filmed enthusiastically tossing supplies, including paper towels, into the gathered crowd as if shooting baskets. The gesture was widely condemned as tone-deaf and disrespectful to citizens who had lost everything.
A Legacy of Controversial Remarks
The paper towel incident was compounded by the President's subsequent public statements. He notoriously downplayed the death toll from the hurricane, which independent estimates place in the thousands, contradicting the official figures from his own government.
In a series of tweets and comments, he repeatedly criticised local officials, including San Juan's mayor, for their management of the crisis, engaging in a public feud while recovery efforts were ongoing. This approach drew sharp rebukes from critics who argued it hampered relief efforts and displayed a profound lack of empathy.
An Emblem of a Fractured Relationship
For many in Puerto Rico, the paper towel toss became a potent symbol of what they perceived as the Trump administration's dismissive and neglectful attitude towards their plight. The event is frequently cited as an example of the political and cultural tensions between the White House and the territory.
As the island continues its long recovery, the memory of that day in the San Juan gym continues to fuel debate about leadership, empathy, and the federal government's responsibility to all American citizens, no matter where they reside.
