Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló really seems intent on disproving the old adage "No man is an island" after leaks of private chat logs of Rosselló's Cabinet, RickyLeaks, revealed how callous, homophobic, misogynistic, and corrupt the government of Puerto Rico is. (We covered it HERE .)
After weeks of protests unlike ever seen in Puerto Rico, Rosselló took to Facebook Live on Sunday to tell the people of Puerto Rico that he has heard their demand:
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello says he won't run for re-election as the island braced for more protests demanding he step down over offensive chat messages. More here: https: //t.co/6bfcwJxRiG pic.twitter.com/PfCXsNmc03
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 22, 2019
Just kidding!! He refused to resign BUT he said he won't run for re-election, stepped down as the head of his political party, and said he would not oppose a formal impeachment. Well how fucking big of you, Ricky! So nice for you to offer everything but what the people of Puerto Rico have been clamoring for. So, inevitably, this led to even BIGGER protests around the island as more protestors continued to ask for only one thing: Ricardo Rosselló's resignation.
The Puerto Ricans in this photo are not asking you to forego reelection, @ricardorossello as that is not enough. They are asking you to resign. Foto por: Marcos Caballero pic.twitter.com/TnceRISY9l
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) July 22, 2019
Through heavy rain:
“Yo quiero un pueblo
que ría y que cante…
Yo quiero un pueblo
que baile en las calles… “ pic.twitter.com/wBYy7yw4R9
— [ɢᴀʙᴇᴛᴇ•ᴍᴀʀɪᴇ]™ (@GabeteMarie) July 22, 2019
Aquí tres o cuatro valientes que aguantaron un aguacero salvaje mientras cantaban “que llueva, que llegue a, Ricky a pa' fuera". #PuertoRicoMarcha pic.twitter.com/0KMIO1FrIZ
— Benjamín Torres Gotay 🇵🇷 (@TorresGotay) July 22, 2019
And in front of La Fortaleza (The Fortress), the Governor's mansion in Old San Juan:
¡CUANDO UN PUEBLO VA PA'LANTE, NO HAY GOBIERNO QUE LO AGUANTE!
La Gran Marcha del Pueblo no tenía a La Fortaleza como parte de su ruta, pero ahí está Puerto Rico. #RickyRenuncia #AbajoRosselló #ResidenciamientoYa
📷 @radioambulante pic.twitter.com/KTyOmfwJsO
— Pedro Julio Serrano (@PedroJulio) July 22, 2019
So it's with this backdrop that Ricardo Rosselló decided to shave, slick his hair back, and put on his nicest suit to give the first one-on-one interview since this scandal to Fox News's "Shepard Smith Reporting" on Monday afternoon. What followed was almost 18 minutes of excruciating questions from Smith basically following one theme: "Why won't you resign?"
Smith outlined how the people of Puerto Rico, the island's largest newspaper, politicians on both sides of the political aisle, and "the president" have all said he should resign. So when asked why he wouldn't step down, Rosselló gave this non-answer:
Rosselló: I've seen the [protests], I've heard the people talk. I've had a process of introspection and I did. I have made a decision I'm not going to run. I'm not going to seek re-election. And that way I can focus on the job at hand. You know, I've had the biggest recovery effort in the modern history of the United States on our hands. We're battling corruption with certain initiatives that we've already started, and certain new ones that we want to put out there, so that we can fix the problem.
HOW ARE YOU BATTLING CORRUPTION WHEN IT'S YOUR CORRUPTION??!! Are you seriously trying to gaslight people that YOU are going to get rid of corruption like O.J. Simpson is still "looking for the real killers"? COME ON!
Smith interrupted Rosselló, pointing out the "attacks" he made on women, homosexuals, and "on the dead relatives of your own residents across your own island." Rosselló said he's apologized and "made amends." But that wasn't good enough and Smith asked a very succinct question:
Smith: Doesn't "the buck stop" with your office, Governor?
Rosselló: That's right, but I was elected by the people of Puerto Rico.
Smith: And those people are out on the streets of your biggest city saying 'we want you out.' That is the headline in the main newspaper.
Smith then asked who's come forward, if anyone, to support him, and Rosselló stammered until he gave the name of ONE supporter: The Mayor of San Sebastián, Javier Jiménez. It was a sad moment made even sadder when the Mayor of San Sebastián did his best Mariah Carey "I don't know her."
BREAKING: The Mayor of San Sebastián Puerto Rico @jdjpjavier tells CBS NEWS he does NOT support the Puerto Rico Governor - even though the Gov said on FOX News that 1 person who supports him is the San Sebastián Mayor.
More tonight on the @CBSEveningNews
H/t @angelcanales pic.twitter.com/QeWSvBxNlI
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) July 22, 2019
This interview was a sad, stammering attempt at public relations that failed miserably. The only thing Rosselló earned from this was a "stern dad" talking to from Shep Smith. Here is the full excruciating thing.
From Grand Central Terminal:
No tenemos miedo puñetaaaa!! #RickyRenuncia #ParoNacional #RickyRenunciaAhora pic.twitter.com/iEU6yvXpyI
— Andrew S. Vargas (@ConioMeng) July 23, 2019
Denver:
From Colorado State Capitol Denver. #RickyRenuncia #AbajoRossello #ParoNacional @DavidBegnaud @jayfonsecapr @TelenoticiasPR @NoticentroWAPA @latinorebels @radioambulante pic.twitter.com/rhq6bQUHax
— #FuckThePolice y martíllale la pelotas ✊🏼 🌹 🇵🇷 (@_pepo__) July 23, 2019
Detroit:
Protestors in Detroit right now. #PuertoRicoProtests #RickyRenuncia pic.twitter.com/flKpv4U7yy
— Jennifer Hamra (@goodlifedetroit) July 23, 2019
Atlanta:
Ran into a WONDERFUL surprise while visiting @SixChordCircusand @actuallyah0rsein atlanta #RickyRenuncia pic.twitter.com/CKJDLWOGe5
— Renuncia, Ricardito🎨 COMMISSIONS OPEN!! (@confleiks) July 23, 2019
Washington DC:
Today we marched in Washington D.C. for #PuertoRico! ¡Hoy más de mil boricuas marchamos en DC ! #RickyRenuncia#GameOver#YouAreFired @SRCSandra @manuelernestopr @saradelvalle pic.twitter.com/OiL53ir0xD
— Leslie Rivera Quiroz (@LeslieRQuiroz) July 23, 2019
Las Vegas:
Las Vegas, NV #RickyRenuncia 🇵🇷💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/KtoEP9Tlm2
— Bellanette (@janettev68) July 22, 2019
From World Wrestling Entertainment events:
El #RickyRenuncia llegó hasta Monday Night Raw hoy, día en que unen la vieja escuela con la nueva, para subir ratings😂 pic.twitter.com/bHHv52tRwS
— Adriana De Jesús Salamán (@adrianadesala) July 23, 2019
To the streets of Puerto Rico with Ricky Martin!
Qué orgulloso me siento de ser puertorriqueño. Qué fuerza sentí de parte de mi gente. Seguimos en la lucha hasta que @ricardorossellono gobierne mas. #resistencia📷: @worldjunkies, @usamahamid pic.twitter.com/xZLAtL2snV
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) July 23, 2019
All of the people of Puerto Rico, in the island or worldwide, with one single thought and goal: Rosselló needs to resign. Puerto Rico deserves representation free of corruption. Because no matter how long, what form or what place ... Puerto Rico is not giving up.
Will never stop fighting. Viva Puerto Rico!! #AbajoRossello #RickyRenuncia https: //t.co/G8GKbzEXGK
— 🇵🇷Michael Mora loves Superman punching Nazis🇵🇷 (@MichaelRMora) July 23, 2019
Viva, Puerto Rico! Wonkette stands with you! And maybe the rest of the American people can follow your example here:
The people of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷are braver than Americans, willing to march against their corrupt government. Trump tweets are just as vile. When will we all rise up?? #RickyRenuncia
— Karina Mandell (@KarinaMandell) July 22, 2019
Wonkette is ad-free and funded ENTIRELY by YOU! Help us make our July!
I believe it's "hold my pint". You're welcome.
Of course in JimmyScottland (a part, for now, of the United Kingston) they had the St. Andrews Sisters.