Trump considered selling Puerto Rico: Ex-DHS chief

Trump considered selling Puerto Rico: Ex-DHS chief
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Roselló, U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump discuss relief efforts during a cabinet meeting at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Oct. 3, 2017. The President visited Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and met with local leadership regarding storm response efforts. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt Michelle Y. Alvarez-Rea)
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President Donald Trump's former acting Secretary of Homeland Security says the leader of the free world considered selling Puerto Rico.


Elaine Duke, who describes herself as a lifelong Republican, spoke with The New York Times in a "wide-ranging interview" about her 14 months working for Trump.

"Among her most searing moments during the response to the hurricanes came when she heard Mr. Trump raise the possibility of 'divesting' or 'selling' Puerto Rico as the island struggled to recover," the newspaper reported.

“Can we outsource the electricity? Can we can we sell the island? You know, or divest of that asset?” Trump reportedly asked.

Puerto Rico is an American territory, the island's three million people are American citizens. The territory's government estimates that 2,975 Americans were killed by the hurricane.

Duke also said she was not ready to support Trump's re-election.

“That’s a really hard question,” she said. “But given the choices, I don’t know yet.”

Read the full report.

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