On Sunday, John Oliver focused his attention on Puerto Rico’s paralyzing debt crisis and the fast-approaching May 1 deadline looming over the island to repay $72 billion—an amount the island’s governor announced last June could not be repaid and was therefore crippling Puerto Rico’s economy. The ongoing crisis has affected many of Puerto Rico’s 3.5 million people and shut down schools across the island, while members of Wall Street have profited along the way.
In recent months, a growing number of politicians, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have called on the US government to provide economic relief and the opportunity for Puerto Rico to restructure its debt. One of the most outspoken defenders of Puerto Rico has been Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” On Sunday, the newly-minted Pulitzer Prize winner appeared on Last Week Tonight to continue his plea for help, this time with a new rap song in hopes that members of Congress will rescue the island. It’s a brilliant performance, so be sure to watch above.
