Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump says Puerto Rico’s $72 billion national debt must be wiped out

President visits island to observe relief efforts after Hurricane Maria

Wednesday 04 October 2017 05:50 EDT
Comments
US President Donald Trump walks past hurricane wreckage as he participates in a walking tour with First Lady Melania Trump, Guaynabo Mayor Angel Perez Otero (second right) and Acting FEMA Administrator Brock Long (far right) as well as Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello (left) and his wife Beatriz Areizeaga in areas damaged by Hurricane Maria
US President Donald Trump walks past hurricane wreckage as he participates in a walking tour with First Lady Melania Trump, Guaynabo Mayor Angel Perez Otero (second right) and Acting FEMA Administrator Brock Long (far right) as well as Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello (left) and his wife Beatriz Areizeaga in areas damaged by Hurricane Maria (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

President Donald Trump has said while on a trip to Puerto Rico to observe hurricane recovery efforts that the island’s massive debt will have to be wiped out.

“They owe a lot of money to your friends on Wall Street and we’re going to have to wipe that out. You’re going to say goodbye to that, I don’t know if it’s Goldman Sachs but whoever it is you can wave goodbye to that,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

Puerto Rico, which earlier this year filed the biggest bankruptcy in US municipal history, is struggling to regain economic stability in the face of a $72 billion debt load and near-insolvent public health and pension systems.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in