Flashback: Alex Cora Passes on Trump White House Invite in Support of Puerto Rico

 January 13, 2025

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora chose not to join his team for a White House visit in 2019 to celebrate their 2018 World Series win, citing the situation in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria as the reason, emphasizing the ongoing recovery needs on the island.

Cora's decision to forgo the White House visit with then-President Donald Trump was said to be a heartfelt one, driven by his desire to honor the resilience of Puerto Rico amid ongoing challenges after Hurricane Maria, as Breitbart reports.

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, causing catastrophic damage and resulting in a significant loss of life. Initially, the death toll was reported as 64, but it was later revised to nearly 3,000.

This update sparked political controversy, with Trump disputing the numbers and accusing opponents of playing politics with the data.

Cora's Reason for Declining Invitation

For Cora, who hails from Puerto Rico, the decision to not attend the May 9, 2019, event was deeply personal. "I made the decision... because I felt awkward" celebrating while his home, Puerto Rico, still suffered from Hurricane Maria, he explained.

While Cora acknowledged the United States' aid efforts, he felt there was still much work to be done to fully restore Puerto Rico. "We are part of the United States. … What they do for us is amazing -- the funding, all of that -- but there was still work to do," he said.

Despite his critique of Trump's handling and comments regarding the disaster, Cora stressed that his choice was not politically driven. He expressed it was more about sports and family, focusing on the humanity of those affected.

Background of Hurricane Maria's Impact

The hurricane, a category 4 storm, left a trail of destruction when it swept through the island, crippling the electrical grid and devastating infrastructure.

The recovery effort was marred by several challenges, including bureaucratic failures, as evidenced by the discovery of unused relief supplies in a warehouse over two years after the storm hit.

In 2020, this mismanagement led to the dismissal of Puerto Rico's disaster agency head and two other officials, underscoring the complexity of the recovery effort and the continued need for effective leadership.

Cora's action of declining the invitation became a broader commentary on the challenges and priorities in disaster recovery. He noted his disapproval of the way numbers were used in political debates, finding such discussions disrespectful to the people who suffered through the hurricane.

Cora's Message on Politics and Humanitarianism

"It’s a little bit, kind of like frustrating that the topic keeps coming and coming and coming. What’s the point? Honestly, you know?" Cora said, reflecting on the ongoing debates about the response to the crisis.

By publicly disagreeing with Trump's comments about the hurricane's death toll, Cora highlighted the need for empathetic and respectful discourse.

"I don’t agree with a lot of what he says about us [Puerto Rico], … to be tweeting about 3,000 people and being efficient, it’s actually disrespectful for my country," Cora remarked. His focus remained on the human impact, lamenting the politicalization of the disaster.

Cora acknowledged the aid that had been provided but pointed to the enduring need for continued support. "And I gotta say, man, thank you for helping us. He went down there, he did what he did. I hate talking about politics and all of that, but I think this is about more than politics."

Conclusion of Cora's Statement

Cora's actions are a reminder of the importance of responding to disaster impacts with sensitivity and an understanding of ongoing needs. His decision not to attend the White House was not just a personal statement but a broader reminder of the continuing recovery struggle in Puerto Rico.

Ultimately, Cora's stance was about shining a light on the challenges facing his homeland, rather than an outright rejection of a political leader.

By prioritizing human dignity and recovery efforts, he hoped to engender a greater appreciation for the complexities involved in responding to disasters like Hurricane Maria.

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