A stand-up comic at a Donald Trump rally in New York drew massive backlash after calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage,” a remark that residents and advocates have called the latest in a long history of insults and mistreatment. On Monday, the island’s residents expressed outrage, a sentiment that could impact Puerto Rican voting blocs in key states for the upcoming election.
Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. general elections, despite being U.S. citizens. Still, the influence they hold among relatives on the mainland is powerful. Calls poured in across the island after the Sunday night remark, keeping conversations heated well into Monday.
Harris Competes for Puerto Rican Votes in Key States
Vice President Kamala Harris is currently vying with Trump for support within Puerto Rican communities in swing states like Pennsylvania. Just after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made his offensive remarks, Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny announced his endorsement of Harris, heightening the political stakes.
Hinchcliffe’s set didn’t stop at Puerto Rico, with additional lewd and racist remarks targeting Latinos, Jews, and Black people—communities critical in the election. Analysts say this type of rhetoric risks alienating these groups further from Trump’s campaign.
Trump Campaign Fights Perception of Racism Amid Rising Concerns
As the 2024 campaign season comes to a close, Trump and his allies are projecting confidence. However, insiders indicate that the Trump team is concerned about the impact of rhetoric painting him as racist and fascist, which some say is resonating with voters. This sentiment was evident at Trump’s six-hour event at Madison Square Garden, where Hinchcliffe’s remarks on Puerto Rico and offensive comments about Black people stoked controversy.
The backlash on social media from Puerto Rican celebrities and public figures was immediate, leading the Trump campaign to issue a rare statement condemning the remarks. Trump’s senior adviser Danielle Alvarez clarified that Hinchcliffe’s comments “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Non-Voters with Big Influence: Puerto Ricans React
Puerto Rican residents, though ineligible to vote in the U.S. election, are voicing their anger. Milagros Serrano, 81, whose son lives in Pennsylvania, expressed her family’s outrage at the comedian’s words. “He can’t be talking about Puerto Rico like that,” she said. “He’s the one who’s a piece of garbage.”
Puerto Ricans have long felt marginalized, having gained U.S. citizenship in 1917 but lacking presidential voting rights and federal funding on par with U.S. states. Their grievances flared after Trump’s controversial visit following Hurricane Maria, during which he tossed paper towels to the crowd and denied the storm’s official death toll.
Shockwaves Across the Community
José Acevedo, a health worker in San Juan, recounted his dismay as he watched the rally. “What humiliation, what discrimination!” he said. Acevedo quickly contacted relatives in New York, including a Republican uncle who said the incident left him reconsidering his support for Trump.
“The family was in shock; they couldn’t believe it,” Acevedo noted. The incident, he says, is a tipping point for many.
Angry Response in Puerto Rico and Beyond
The comments ignited discussion across Puerto Rican news outlets. Representative Jenniffer González, a pro-statehood Trump supporter, called the remarks “despicable, misguided, and disgusting.” Prominent Democrats escalated their criticism of Trump, with Vice President Kamala Harris describing Trump’s rally as “fueling hate” during a campaign stop in Michigan, while President Joe Biden labeled it “simply embarrassing.”
Leaders and Advocates Demand Accountability
At a press conference, Eddie Moran, the mayor of Reading, joined other Puerto Rican leaders in condemning the remarks. “The garbage he spoke about is polluting our elections and showing just how little Donald Trump cares about Latinos, especially our Puerto Rican community,” Moran said, underscoring the rally’s significance in an election where every constituency matters.
