Democrats Slam Trump Over Puerto Rico ‘Garbage’ Remark

28 Oct at 7:35 pm

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Democrats Slam Trump Over Puerto Rico ‘Garbage’ Remark \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Following a Trump rally where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” Democrats have intensified their attacks on the former president. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s platform, which they say promotes division and insensitivity towards Puerto Rican and Latino communities. As Puerto Rican voters become a crucial demographic in swing states like Pennsylvania, both parties are doubling down on their outreach efforts.

Trump Rally Fallout and Puerto Rican Voters: Quick Looks

Comedian’s Offensive Comment: At Trump’s rally, a comedian insulted Puerto Rico, sparking backlash from Puerto Rican leaders and communities.
Democratic Response: Kamala Harris and Joe Biden condemned the rally, with Harris calling Trump’s platform “divisive.”
Influence in Swing States: Pennsylvania’s Puerto Rican and Latino voters, increasingly influential in state elections, are being actively courted by both parties.
Harris Campaign Strategy: The Harris campaign released targeted ads featuring the offensive remarks to mobilize Puerto Rican and Latino voters.
Voter Demographics: Pennsylvania’s Hispanic voter base has tripled since 2000, with a significant portion of eligible voters being Puerto Rican.

Deep Look

In the wake of a controversial Trump rally, where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” Democratic leaders responded swiftly, criticizing the comments and highlighting the significance of Puerto Rican voters in battleground states. The rally at Madison Square Garden, intended to energize Trump’s base, instead ignited a political firestorm among Latino communities, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Puerto Ricans represent an increasingly influential demographic.

Democrats Condemn Remarks as “Divisive”

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden both spoke out against the rally. Harris, describing the rally as “more vivid than usual,” stated that Trump’s rhetoric fuels division and incites hate. Biden called the event “simply embarrassing,” underscoring Democratic concerns that Trump’s approach alienates critical voter groups. Harris went on to address the rally’s divisive language, stating that Trump focuses on “grievances” that weaken unity among Americans. “He spends his time encouraging Americans to turn against each other,” Harris said, adding that such rhetoric “does nothing to strengthen American families or workers.”

The Trump campaign, in a rare move, distanced itself from the comments, issuing a statement saying the comedian’s remarks did not reflect Trump’s views. However, this response did little to quell the backlash, especially among Democratic officials. Eddie Moran, the mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania, joined other Puerto Rican officials at a news conference, calling the remarks “pollution” in the political sphere and accusing Trump of neglecting Latino and Puerto Rican interests.

Puerto Rican Voters’ Influence in Pennsylvania

With just over a week remaining until Election Day, the controversy over Hinchcliffe’s remarks highlights the critical role Puerto Rican voters could play in swing states, particularly Pennsylvania. The state’s Puerto Rican population, which has surged in recent years, represents a growing segment of eligible voters, particularly in cities like Allentown and Reading. These communities are part of Pennsylvania’s expanding Latino demographic, which has tripled in size since 2000 to over 620,000 eligible voters, more than half of whom are Puerto Rican.

Fernando Tormos-Aponte, a University of Pittsburgh professor specializing in Puerto Rican politics, emphasized the impact of the timing, noting that such comments could damage Trump’s outreach to Latino voters. “When you combine the events that took place yesterday with other grievances that Puerto Ricans have, you really are not engaging in sound political strategy,” Tormos-Aponte stated.

Harris Campaign Mobilizes Latino Voters

In response to the incident, the Harris campaign released a digital ad targeting Puerto Rican voters in battleground states, highlighting the offensive comments. The ad aims to energize Puerto Rican voters by drawing attention to the rally and questioning Trump’s commitment to Latino communities. The Harris campaign’s strategy seeks to leverage support from Puerto Rican celebrities, such as reggaeton star Bad Bunny, who voiced his support for Harris after the remarks.

Elsewhere, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, dismissed the controversy, arguing that people should avoid getting offended over “every little thing.” This response only added to Democratic accusations that the Trump campaign is out of touch with minority communities’ concerns.

Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, also addressed the issue indirectly by speaking on antisemitism at a Pittsburgh event, linking it to a broader culture of hate and division that Democrats accuse Trump of fostering. “There is a fire in this country, and we either pour water on it or we pour gasoline on it,” Emhoff said, alluding to the broader divisive rhetoric at Trump’s rallies.

Pennsylvania’s Latino Voting Bloc and the Geography of Campaign Focus

Both campaigns have focused significant attention on Pennsylvania, with the state’s 19 electoral votes seen as crucial in this tight election. Since Labor Day, both parties have campaigned extensively in Pennsylvania, with visits far outnumbering those in other battleground states like Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Allentown and Reading, in particular, have become key campaign stops, given their large Puerto Rican populations and the recent growth of the state’s Hispanic eligible voter base.

Pennsylvania-based surrogates for the Harris campaign have been vocal on Spanish-language radio, denouncing Trump’s failure to issue a personal apology for the comedian’s remarks. One Harris surrogate in Allentown criticized Trump, stating that “a campaign statement isn’t enough” to show respect for the Puerto Rican community.

Hispanic Voters Across the U.S. React

The fallout from the rally remarks has also resonated beyond Pennsylvania. In Florida, U.S. Representative Darren Soto, whose district includes many Puerto Rican residents, stated at a news conference, “We remember, and you know what, we are going to vote.” Soto underscored the growing influence of Puerto Rican voters in swing states, calling the voting booth the most powerful response to such incidents.

Harris used her platform to reaffirm her commitment to Puerto Rican issues, proposing a task force to attract private companies to upgrade the island’s infrastructure, including its power grid. She emphasized that Trump’s rhetoric does nothing to fulfill “the dreams and aspirations” of Latino Americans. “What he did last night is not a discovery,” Harris remarked. “It’s just more of the same, and may be more vivid than usual.”

Trump Campaign Continues in Pennsylvania and Florida

Trump, meanwhile, did not address the controversy during a Monday appearance at the National Faith Summit in Powder Springs, Georgia. He later attended a rally in Atlanta and is scheduled to return to Pennsylvania with an event in Allentown on Tuesday. The Trump campaign’s focus in Pennsylvania and other swing states reflects the importance of the Latino vote, even as the controversy over the rally’s remarks adds tension to his efforts.

The Harris and Biden campaigns are capitalizing on the incident to emphasize inclusivity and respect for diversity, highlighting what they describe as Trump’s divisive approach. With the final days of campaigning underway, both sides are intensifying their appeals to Latino voters, knowing the impact this voting bloc could have on Election Day.