Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Won't Visit Donald Trump, White House

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora will not join the team during its visit to the White House because of displeasure with the Trump administration's relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

Spanish paper El Nuevo Dia first reported the news on Sunday (h/t CBS Sports). 

“Even though the United States Government has helped, there’s still a long road ahead and that is OUR reality. I’ve used my voice on many occasions so that Puerto Ricans are not forgotten and my absence (from the White House) is no different. As such, at this moment, I don’t feel comfortable celebrating in the White House,” Cora said.

The Trump administration has been the subject of widespread disapproval for its lack of support following the devastating September 2017 hurricane. Critics found the relief efforts insufficient and slow-moving, and many were perplexed when Whitefish Energy, a Montana company with two full-time employees, landed a $300 million contract to restore power in Puerto Rico.

There were parts of the island without power for almost a year, and nearly 3,000 people died in Puerto Rico alone as the result of the hurricane.

Trump has praised the relief efforts despite criticism, calling it an "incredible success." That comment drew backlash across Puerto Rico and within the U.S., most notably from San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz.

"This is a stain on his presidency. He says he’s done a good job when 3,000 people have died? God bless us all if this man continues on this path," Cruz told CNN.

Cora joins a number of Red Sox players who have said they will not attend the May visit to the nation's capital.