Story highlights Trump touted the 16-person death toll as low

Trump said officials can "be very proud of what's taken place"

(CNN) President Donald Trump squarely focused on one task as he landed in Puerto Rico: portraying his administration's response to the devastation on the still-recovering island as a tremendous success.

"We've only heard thank yous from the people of Puerto Rico," Trump told reporters upon Air Force One's return trip, when asked if he heard any constructive criticism while on the ground.

"That was a terrific visit, that visit was terrific," he said.

But the day began with an awkward roundtable with federal and local officials, where Trump touted the federal response and offered praise for those who have been most complimentary to his administration, even as many residents on the island continued to lack access to basic services and criticized the federal response.

The President also appeared to jokingly blame the island and its 3.5 million residents for throwing the federal budget "a little out of whack."

Read More