READING, Pa. — On the eve of Election Day, 17-year-old Carmen Hernandez showcased a sign featuring the Puerto Rican flag outside a Trump rally in Reading, Pennsylvania—an area with a significant Hispanic population. Her sign boldly stated, “What you call trash is our treasure.”
Trump’s campaign swiftly distanced itself from a comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” In contrast, Kamala Harris’ campaign, along with other Democrats, utilized the incident to draw connections between Trump and the controversial remark during the critical hours leading up to the election. Harris spent a considerable amount of her day reaching out to Latino voters in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state that Democrats view as essential to their prospects in the Electoral College. Her itinerary included various stops along the 222 Corridor, a route linking smaller towns and cities to the west and north of Philadelphia.
In Pennsylvania, over 315,000 residents aged 18 and older identify as Puerto Rican. This demographic holds substantial influence, especially in an environment where close vote counts can determine which party secures the state’s 19 Electoral College votes. Both Democrats, aiming to retain long-standing supporters, and Republicans, eager to expand their appeal to Latino voters, are keenly aware of this community’s significance.
Hinchcliffe’s joke impacted Trump’s campaign negatively, leading to the loss of support from well-known Puerto Rican artist Nicky Jam while galvanizing the backing of popular figure Bad Bunny for Harris. Eddie Moran, Reading’s mayor and the first Latino to serve in the position, highlighted the irony that the future president might well be chosen by Latino voters in Pennsylvania. “He continues to insult us but still comes to knock on our door here in Reading, a city that’s 70% Latino.” Moran stated, lamenting the dissonance of Trump’s presence at a rally in a community with many Puerto Rican residents.
Carmen Hernandez, while unable to vote, expressed her family’s strong intention to support Harris. “I’m here because I want to feel a sense of pride about protecting and defending my island,” she said, displaying her commitment as a high school senior. During a stop in Allentown, Harris reinforced her dedication to Puerto Rico and its residents’ rights, despite their lack of representation in the Electoral College. The event featured rapper Fat Joe, who called for unity and pride among Latino voters in response to Hinchcliffe’s remarks, stating, “Calling Puerto Rico the island of garbage, my Latinos, where is your pride?”
In Reading, a crowd formed outside a local Puerto Rican establishment, Old San Juan Cafe, eager to see Harris, who chose items like plantains and cassava for takeout. Claudia Guzman, a restaurant attendee, expressed her excitement at Harris’ visit and confirmed her intention to vote for her, declaring, “Women are coming to power.” Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio addressed Trump supporters at a rally, humorously noting the emotional depth of the Spanish language while encouraging attendees to prioritize their political choices.
Trump’s response was to celebrate his connection with Puerto Rico, asserting that his administration provided more help than anyone else. Despite his past lagging response to Hurricane Maria, which drew criticism, he later authorized significant disaster relief funds for the island.
Amidst the unfolding drama, different perspectives emerged about the comic’s joke. Emilio Feliciano, whose family is Puerto Rican, dismissed the remarks, prioritizing economic concerns as he prepared to vote for Trump. “We’ve got bigger fish to fry,” he maintained, focusing on issues like border safety and crime rates. Conversely, Luis Colon, a local Puerto Rican resident, criticized Trump’s rally comments as “a disgrace.” He made clear his decision to support Harris while attending the rally out of curiosity, highlighting his belief that Trump’s policies were not beneficial for Latino communities.