Bad Bunny, Kamala Harris, and the Comedy of Political Endorsements
Ah, the political landscape! It’s like a sitcom that just keeps getting wackier, and this episode features none other than Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Bad Bunny and America’s favorite vice president, Kamala Harris. Recently, Bad Bunny took to Instagram to show his support for Harris, sharing a clip that highlights her plans for Puerto Rico, right after a speaker at a Trump rally made an offensive joke about the island. You have to appreciate the timing here; it’s like a punchline that lands just as the audience stops laughing.
As both the Harris and Trump campaigns scramble for the crucial Puerto Rican vote in Pennsylvania, it seems the stakes are as high as Bad Bunny’s concert tickets. With around 500,000 Puerto Ricans living in the state, you’d better believe both campaigns are courting them like an awkward first date. Bad Bunny, or as his mum calls him, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (try saying that five times fast!), has a staggering following of over 45 million on Instagram. That’s more reach than most politicians can muster in a lifetime! Talk about influencer power!
In the campaign clip Bad Bunny reshared, Harris makes a point that’s hard to ignore: “I will never forget what Donald Trump did, and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader.” You know it’s serious when a politician pulls out the “caring leader” line. The last time Trump was deemed a “caring leader” was…well, never! Remember when he threw paper towels like they were confetti during the Hurricane Maria aftermath? I guess you could say he really tossed away the idea of aid with style.
The article continues to point out that this post was the first sign of support from Bad Bunny, the Harris campaign appears to be making every attempt to secure celebrity endorsements. It’s like a high school prom committee trying to get the hottest date to come! Bad Bunny’s endorsement is pivotal because the campaign knows he can sway young male Latino voters, who seem to have a bit of a crush on Trump—like the nerdy kid in class who wishes he could trade places with the cool kid.
But hold your horses; the real star (or anti-hero) of this political saga is comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made a joke about Puerto Rico during Trump’s rally. He quipped, “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. Yeah. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” That’s the kind of line that makes you feel like you just walked into a comedy club and straight into a bad roast… except it wasn’t funny, and we all know the audience isn’t clapping.
Harris and her team, not one to shy away from drawing a line in the sand, engaged in “thoughtful and deliberate” discussions with Bad Bunny’s team. Because if you’re going to make waves, you might as well swim with the biggest fish! The endorsement from Bad Bunny is like the cherry on the political sundae—the Harris campaign has been eyeing it like a kid in a candy store for months.
Now, further complicating things, Luis Fonsi, the “Despacito” guy, joined the fray, raising the question: can you say “cult of celebrity”? Sharing the same Hinchcliffe joke, Fonsi made it very clear he’s not down with the racist undertones echoing through that Trump rally, adding the social media equivalent of a dramatic eye roll. One wonders, can celebrities and politics coexist, or is it just an elaborate dance-off where everyone hopes to win the audience’s vote?
In her ongoing quest to connect with the Puerto Rican community, Harris made a pit stop at Freddy & Tony’s Restaurant in Philadelphia—because hey, nothing says “I care” like eating Puerto Rican food while discussing aid for the island! She promised to create an opportunity economy task force, laughing in the face of economic woes while standing on symbolic ground. I mean, who doesn’t love a good task force? It’s like saying, “Don’t worry; we’re delegating the problem while enjoying some delicious arroz con gandules!”
In conclusion, this political melodrama has it all: celebrity endorsements, absurd jokes, and good old-fashioned campaigning. As both teams gear up for the election, we can’t help but wonder: in the game of political influencers, who will truly reign supreme? Will it be Bad Bunny’s beats or Trump’s tweets? Regardless, one thing’s for sure: we’re in for a hell of a ride!
CNN
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In a powerful show of solidarity, Puerto Rican music icon Bad Bunny took to social media to express his backing for Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, sharing a compelling video clip that highlighted Harris’s proposals for revitalizing Puerto Rico. This came on the heels of a controversial moment at Donald Trump’s New York rally, where a speaker made a derogatory joke that triggered widespread outrage among the public and media outlets.
This endorsement arrives amid a crucial competition, as both the Harris and Trump campaigns actively court the vital Puerto Rican voter demographic, particularly in Pennsylvania, a battleground state with a substantial Puerto Rican population exceeding 500,000. Known to fans as Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio leveraged his immense social media influence by resharing the campaign content to his staggering 45 million Instagram followers, further amplifying Harris’s message.
Bad Bunny’s post Sunday marked a significant step in the Harris campaign’s ongoing efforts to cultivate a diverse array of celebrity endorsements. Additionally, it coincided with rising discontent regarding incendiary statements made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who insultingly addressed Puerto Rico during Trump’s rally held at Madison Square Garden.
Thousands of people in Puerto Rico tragically lost their lives due to Hurricane Maria in 2017, soon after Hurricane Irma ravaged the region, causing widespread destruction and power outages. During a visit to the island following the devastation, then-President Trump faced backlash for his insensitivity, demonstrated memorably when he hurled paper towels at residents in a display many perceived as callous and disrespectful.
Reports suggest that campaign officials for Harris had been in discussions with Bad Bunny’s team prior to his supportive post, with hopes of rallying his substantial Latino following to which the vice president’s plans would resonate. A source indicated that this outreach strategy has been meticulous and purpose-driven, focusing squarely on the pressing issues faced by Puerto Rico.
An endorsement from Bad Bunny has long been one of the key targets of the Harris campaign’s celebrity outreach strategy, particularly in light of his influential standing within the Latino community. The campaign’s recognition of his potential to sway younger Latino male voters—a group increasingly drawn to Trump—makes this endorsement even more significant as the election approaches.
Earlier Sunday, during her visit to Freddy & Tony’s Restaurant, a beloved Puerto Rican establishment in north Philadelphia, Harris passionately articulated her administration’s commitment to addressing Puerto Rico’s ongoing challenges and outlined her policy framework aimed at fostering prosperity on the island.
“I’m going to create an opportunity economy task force for Puerto Rico,” Harris declared, emphasizing her agenda to prioritize economic growth and overhaul the island’s electrical grid, a critical infrastructure need following years of neglect and mismanagement.
This story has been updated with additional information.
