Trump refers to Virgin Islands governor as its ‘president’

President Trump mistakenly referred to the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands as its “president” during a speech Friday.

Trump was addressing a gathering of religious conservatives in Washington, D.C., when he turned to tout the federal response to several U.S. states and territories hit by hurricanes in recent months.

“And I will tell you, I left Texas, and I left Florida, and I left Louisiana and I went to Puerto Rico, and I met with the president of the Virgin Islands,” Trump told those gathered for the Values Voter Summit.

{mosads}

“These are people that are incredible people. They’ve suffered gravely, and we’ll be there.  We’re going to be there,” he added.

Trump was apparently referring to Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp when he mentioned the “president” of the U.S. territory, who is Trump himself.

The White House later released an official transcript of the speech, striking out Trump’s reference to the Virgin Islands’ “president” and noting he was referring to its “governor.”

The Virgin Islands were devastated by Hurricane Maria, which also left nearby Puerto Rico almost entirely without power.

Trump’s response to the storm has been criticized at times by local officials, and his administration has faced pressure from lawmakers to increase federal aid to the islands.

Trump traveled to visit Puerto Rico earlier this month after the storm to meet with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló. He also met with Mapp on a Navy ship offshore, while Vice President Pence paid a visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands to survey recovery efforts.

“We’re going to be there as Americans, and we love those people and what they’ve gone through. And they’re all healing, and their states and territories are healing, and they’re healing rapidly,” Trump said Friday.