Puerto Ricans Outraged Over Trump Remarks as Election Nears \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During a Trump rally in New York, a comedian’s disparaging comments about Puerto Rico ignited anger among Puerto Rican residents, who felt it highlighted longstanding mistreatment of the U.S. territory. Though Puerto Ricans on the island cannot vote in U.S. general elections, the incident is expected to influence their stateside relatives, especially in swing areas like Pennsylvania.
Anti-Puerto Rico Comments at Trump Rally: Quick Looks
- Outrage at Rally Remarks: A comedian’s derogatory statements about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally sparked backlash.
- Election Influence: While island residents can’t vote, their relatives on the mainland can sway key states.
- High-Profile Reactions: Figures like Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin voiced disapproval, supporting Kamala Harris instead.
- Historical Grievances: Trump’s previous handling of Hurricane Maria continues to resonate, adding to current tensions.
- Local Political Fallout: Puerto Rican leaders from both major parties condemned the remarks.
Deep Look
The incident unfolded when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe took the stage before a packed audience and joked, “I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” The comment, met with laughter and applause, quickly reached Puerto Rico through social media, with residents and diaspora members alike reacting with anger and disbelief. Phones across the island buzzed as residents shared their frustration with relatives on the mainland, many of whom reside in battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Florida.
In response, Puerto Rican superstar and reggaeton artist Bad Bunny voiced his disapproval by endorsing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been actively courting the Puerto Rican community in swing states. The reaction underscores the potential impact of Puerto Rican voters on the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Hinchcliffe’s set reportedly included additional lewd and racially charged remarks about Latinos, Jews, and Black people, further alienating key voter demographics.
Historic Frustrations and Current Outrage
For many Puerto Ricans, the comedian’s remarks are a painful reminder of the territory’s second-class treatment. Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1917, and its residents hold U.S. citizenship. However, they are unable to vote in U.S. general elections and receive limited federal funding compared to U.S. states. This disparity is particularly evident in times of crisis. When Hurricane Maria struck in 2017, leaving devastating effects in its wake, then-President Trump visited the island and was widely criticized for his dismissive attitude, even tossing paper towels to a crowd of survivors. Trump’s denial of the storm’s official death toll—estimated at nearly 3,000—added to the hurt and frustration, with lingering resentment that was reignited by Hinchcliffe’s remarks.
José Acevedo, a health worker from San Juan, also felt indignant, describing his anger as he watched footage from the rally. Acevedo promptly contacted family members in New York, including a relative who had intended to vote for Trump. “He told me that he was going to have to analyze his decision,” Acevedo said. “They couldn’t believe it.”
Political Leaders and Celebrity Reactions
Hinchcliffe’s comments quickly dominated Puerto Rican news sites and prompted statements from major political figures on the island. Puerto Rico’s representative in Congress, Jenniffer González, who belongs to the pro-statehood New Progressive Party and is a Trump supporter, denounced the comedian’s remarks as “despicable, misguided and disgusting,” adding that they do not “represent the values of the GOP.” The comments also drew a sharp response from Puerto Rican Governor Pedro Pierluisi, a Democrat, who wrote on social media, “Garbage is what came out of Tony Hinchcliffe’s mouth, and everyone who applauded him should feel ashamed for disrespecting Puerto Rico.” Pierluisi’s statement highlighted the bipartisan condemnation of the remarks, reflecting the unifying effect of this controversy across Puerto Rico’s often divided political landscape.
Social and Electoral Impact
In Puerto Rico, political discourse is often dominated by debates over the island’s status—whether it should remain a territory, pursue statehood, or seek independence. For many Puerto Ricans, this status defines their identity as U.S. citizens who feel disenfranchised by their inability to vote in U.S. elections and limited access to federal benefits. The rally remarks are a stark reminder of these inequalities, especially as the territory remains underrepresented despite its large population of over 3 million.
Sonia Pérez, a 58-year-old parking lot attendant in San Juan, said she was moved to vote in Puerto Rico’s upcoming governor election after hearing the comments. Usually disinterested in politics, Pérez now plans to reject both main parties, which she feels have failed to address the island’s issues effectively. “It is outrageous that in the 21st century there is so much racism against Latinos when we have contributed so much to the country and it is not recognized,” Pérez said.
With both Democratic and Republican campaigns focused on securing Latino voters in swing states, the fallout from this incident could affect Puerto Rican voter turnout on the mainland. The insult has prompted many Puerto Ricans to rally around candidates who recognize their contributions and respect their identity. In a race where swing state votes are critical, the voices of Puerto Ricans—whether through their own voting or through their influence on relatives—could be a pivotal factor in the outcome.
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