Imagine living in a place where you’re a U.S. citizen—but you can’t vote for the U.S. president. Sounds strange, right? That’s the reality for millions of Puerto Ricans, and it’s why the question “who is the president of Puerto Rico 2025” is more complicated than it seems.
Let’s unpack this political puzzle and explore what it really means to be governed without a vote.
Puerto Rico’s Unique Political Status
Puerto Rico isn’t a country. It’s not a state. It’s a U.S. territory—a status that places it in a constitutional gray zone.
That means Puerto Rico is under the sovereignty of the United States, and its residents are U.S. citizens. But here’s the catch: they don’t have voting representation in Congress, and they can’t vote for the president unless they move to a U.S. state.
So when we ask who the president of Puerto Rico is, the answer is technically the same as for Idaho or Delaware: the President of the United States.
Who Is the President of Puerto Rico 2025?
As of January 20, 2025, the President of Puerto Rico is Donald Trump.
That’s because Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election and assumed office for his second term. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, the sitting U.S. president automatically holds executive authority over the island.
But here’s where things get thorny: Puerto Ricans didn’t vote for him. In fact, they couldn’t.
Why Puerto Ricans Can’t Vote for President
This isn’t about apathy or low voter turnout. It’s about legal exclusion.
Puerto Rico doesn’t have Electoral College representation. Only U.S. states and Washington, D.C. send electors to vote for president. Territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are left out.
Here’s how it plays out:
Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth.
They can vote in presidential elections only if they reside in a U.S. state.
If they move back to Puerto Rico, they lose that right—even military personnel stationed there.
This means that while Donald Trump is the president of Puerto Rico, he was elected without input from the people he governs on the island.
Who Actually Governs Puerto Rico Day-to-Day?
While the U.S. president holds federal authority, Puerto Rico has its own local government.
As of 2025, the Governor of Puerto Rico is Jenniffer González, who took office on January 2. She’s the first woman elected to the position and previously served as Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner in Washington, D.C.
The governor oversees local laws, public services, and emergency response. But federal matters—like immigration, defense, and interstate commerce—are under the U.S. president’s jurisdiction.
Puerto Rico also has:
A bicameral legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)
A Resident Commissioner (currently Pablo Hernández Rivera) who represents Puerto Rico in Congress—but without a vote
Local departments for health, education, housing, and more
Surprising Facts About Puerto Rico’s Political Reality
Puerto Rico’s status is full of contradictions. Here are a few that might raise eyebrows:
🇺🇸 Citizenship Without Voting Rights: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but can’t vote for president unless they move to a state.
🗳️ No Electoral College Representation: Puerto Rico has no electors, so it’s excluded from the presidential election process.
🪖 Military Members Can’t Vote: Even active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed in Puerto Rico lose their right to vote for president.
🏛️ Congressional Voice Without a Vote: The Resident Commissioner can speak in Congress but can’t vote on legislation.
🌎 Foreign Residents Have More Voting Rights: U.S. citizens living abroad can vote absentee in their last state of residence—but not if they move to Puerto Rico.
These quirks highlight the tension between citizenship and representation.
The Ongoing Debate: Statehood, Independence, or Status Quo?
Puerto Rico’s political future is a hot topic.
Some advocate for statehood, arguing it would grant full voting rights and representation. Others push for independence, seeking full sovereignty. A third group prefers maintaining the current commonwealth status, citing cultural and economic concerns.
Referendums have been held, but none have led to a definitive change. Congress has the final say—and so far, it hasn’t acted.
Personal Insight
I remember learning about Puerto Rico’s status in a college civics class and being floored. How could a place with over 3 million U.S. citizens be so politically sidelined? It’s like being invited to the party but not allowed to dance. The more I read, the more I realized how deeply this issue touches questions of democracy, identity, and fairness.
Conclusion
So, who is the president of Puerto Rico 2025? It’s Donald Trump—but the story doesn’t end there. Puerto Rico’s unique status means its citizens live under presidential authority without having a say in who holds that power.
What do you think—should Puerto Rico become a state, seek independence, or stay the course? Let’s talk about it in the comments.