Bad Bunny/ Kamala Harris endorsement/ Trump rally/ Puerto Rican voters/ Latino support/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Puerto Rican music star Bad Bunny endorsed Kamala Harris after a Trump rally comedian made offensive comments about Latinos and Puerto Rico. The remarks, sparking outrage from both political sides, included a derogatory description of Puerto Rico, which Bad Bunny and other artists swiftly condemned. Bad Bunny shared a Harris video addressing Puerto Rican voters, amplifying her appeal to Latino communities.
Bad Bunny’s Endorsement of Harris After Rally Controversy: Quick Look
- Endorsement: Bad Bunny announced support for Harris, sharing her pro-Puerto Rico message.
- Incident: Comedian at Trump rally made racist jokes about Puerto Rico.
- Reaction: Outrage from artists and GOP figures, who called the remarks offensive.
- Background: Bad Bunny previously criticized Trump’s handling of Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria.
- Campaign Impact: Harris gains support among Latino and Puerto Rican voters.
Latin Superstar Bad Bunny Endorses Harris After Racist Comedy at Trump Event
Deep Look
Latin music sensation Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president this Sunday. This endorsement followed a controversy stemming from crude, racially charged jokes made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden. Hinchcliffe’s remarks, which labeled Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” and mocked Latino families, were condemned by artists and figures across the political spectrum, including prominent Hispanic Republicans.
Following the rally, Bad Bunny took to Instagram to express his disapproval of the comedian’s comments, posting a video featuring Harris and her message to Puerto Rican voters. With his nearly 45 million followers, he shared a clip of Harris saying, “There’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.” This move was confirmed by a spokesperson, marking the reggaeton star’s first public endorsement in the current election season.
Bad Bunny’s show of support came as a direct response to Hinchcliffe’s offensive jokes. Among other disparaging comments, Hinchcliffe joked about Puerto Rican culture and birth control. He generalized that “Latinos love making babies” and quipped about contraceptive practices, sparking backlash from artists and figures like Angel Cintron, the head of Puerto Rico’s GOP, and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Miami who has attended recent Trump events.
Salazar posted on social media, stating her disgust for Hinchcliffe’s words and asserting that they did not reflect the values of the Republican Party. “Puerto Rico sent over 48,000 soldiers to Vietnam, earning 345 Purple Hearts. This bravery deserves respect. Educate yourself!” she declared. In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez distanced the campaign from Hinchcliffe’s rhetoric, saying, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Further adding his voice to the chorus of disapproval, singer Luis Fonsi criticized the “racist path” he believes such rhetoric promotes. “This constant hate isn’t OK,” he posted on Instagram, underscoring the need for respect toward Puerto Rican communities. Ricky Martin, who previously endorsed Harris, also condemned the remarks, stating, “That’s what they think of us,” amplifying the voices of Puerto Rican celebrities who felt demeaned by the rhetoric.
In a series of posts, Bad Bunny emphasized Harris’ commitment to Puerto Rico, repeatedly sharing Harris’s statements on Trump’s handling of Puerto Rican issues. One clip featured her assertion that she “will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he didn’t do when Puerto Rico needed care and competent leadership.” She referenced Trump’s controversial actions following Hurricane Maria in 2017, specifically his appearance in Puerto Rico where he famously tossed paper towels to survivors, which many saw as dismissive. The Trump administration’s delayed release of $13 billion in aid for Puerto Rico, only weeks before the 2020 election, remains a source of criticism. A federal watchdog later confirmed that officials obstructed investigations into delays in aid distribution.
Bad Bunny’s social media post emphasized Harris’s message that Trump “abandoned the island, tried to block aid after devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults.” The 30-year-old reggaeton artist, known for chart-topping hits like “Dakiti” and “Titi Me Preguntó,” has been a vocal advocate for Puerto Rico and often addresses social and political issues through his music. His music video for “El Apagon” criticized Luma Energy, the company overseeing Puerto Rico’s electrical infrastructure, for chronic outages, and he recently released “Una Velita” as a protest anthem reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Pennsylvania, a key battleground state with a significant Puerto Rican voter base, has become a focal point for both campaigns. Other Puerto Rican celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, have already endorsed Harris, boosting her campaign’s visibility among Latino voters. Trump, in contrast, has garnered support from Puerto Rican artists like Anuel AA and Nicky Jam.
Bad Bunny has previously aligned with Democratic campaigns, allowing his song “Pero Ya No” to feature in a Biden campaign ad in 2020. His latest endorsement amplifies Harris’s connection to Latino communities and brings attention to Puerto Rican issues that have remained pivotal since Hurricane Maria.
Earlier Sunday, Harris visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in North Philadelphia to discuss her policy plans for Puerto Rico, proposing a task force to promote investment and improve the island’s electrical grid. In contrast, Trump plans to visit Allentown, Pennsylvania, a city with a majority Hispanic population, most of whom are Puerto Rican, to strengthen his outreach in swing states.
