As the countdown to Election Day intensifies, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are fiercely competing for the crucial Latino vote, recognizing its potential to swing the presidency.
Kamal Harris made a strategic visit to a beloved Puerto Rican restaurant located in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state that could determine the election’s outcome, highlighting her commitment to engaging with the Latino community.
In a shocking turn of events during Trump’s rally, a comedian drew widespread condemnation for labeling Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” a comment that has drawn ire from prominent Puerto Rican figures, including Grammy-winning artists Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, who expressed their outrage over the incident.
This backlash arises as both candidates find themselves in an extremely close contest, with both vying for the support of Latino voters, a demographic that could play a
decisive role in propelling them to the White House.
Significantly, Puerto Rican voters in the continental United States represent the second-largest Latino group nationwide, particularly influential in critical battleground states such as Pennsylvania, where their votes could be pivotal.
Trump has been attempting to bolster his appeal among Latino men, flaunting high-profile endorsements from Puerto Rican artists like Anuel AA and Nicky Jam, whose substantial followings resonate with the younger Latino demographic. However, the derogatory remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, known by his stage persona Kill Tony, have sparked a firestorm of bipartisan criticism directed at Trump’s campaign.
“I couldn’t believe what I heard at that Trump rally. The blatant display of hatred not only angered me but reinforced my determination to ensure he never occupies the Oval Office again,” remarked Mayor Matt Tuerk of Allentown, Pennsylvania, where over half of the population identifies as Latino, many with Puerto Rican heritage. Tuerk, a Democrat of Cuban descent, holds the distinction of being the city’s first Latino mayor.
Florida GOP Rep. María Elvira Salazar, who was born in Puerto Rico, quickly condemned Hinchcliffe’s remarks, labeling them as racist and not representative of the values held by the GOP, thereby emphasizing the broader discontent among Latino leaders.
In the aftermath of Hinchcliffe’s inflammatory comment made earlier in the evening at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, he described Puerto Rico in demeaning terms while also cracking jokes about the Latino community, which did not sit well with many, sparking widespread outrage.
Facing an escalating controversy, Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to Trump, issued a statement clarifying that Hinchcliffe’s remarks do not mirror Trump’s views or those of his campaign.
Notably, more than two-thirds of Puerto Ricans reside in the United States—approximately 5.8 million—while an additional 3.3 million inhabit the island, a U.S. territory where residents are disenfranchised regarding presidential elections.
In response to the furor surrounding Hinchcliffe’s comments, global music sensation Bad Bunny shared on his Instagram a video featuring Harris’s criticism of Trump’s past actions towards Puerto Rico during his presidency. The video outlines her commitments towards the recovery and empowerment of the island, resonating with his following of 45.6 million people.
Bad Bunny’s posts emphasized the detrimental actions taken—or not taken—by Trump during the critical times when Puerto Rico needed assiduous leadership, including during the aftermath of devastating hurricanes that wreaked havoc on the island.
Amidst this charged atmosphere, Harris is unveiling an “opportunity economy” agenda for Puerto Rico aimed at creating economic opportunities and enhancing infrastructure, in order to better address the concerns of Latino voters.
“I genuinely believe we are witnessing a new generation of leadership, one that is optimistic, ambitious, and, if I may say, impatient to effect real change,” Harris expressed passionately during her visit to Freddy and Tony’s Restaurant in a vibrant Puerto Rican neighborhood in Philadelphia.
The legacy of Hurricane Maria looms large as Trump faced substantial criticism for his administration’s inadequate response to the disaster that resulted in the tragic loss of over 3,000 lives and immense suffering for the island’s residents. His administration’s actions, including throwing paper towels to hurricane survivors, became emblematic of his dismissive attitude towards Puerto Rico.
Gathering momentum leading up to Election Day, both candidates have ramped up their rally schedules, emphasizing their platforms in the hopes of swaying Latinos facing the November deadline.
Criticism for Trump’s decision to host Hinchcliffe at his rally continues to resonate within Puerto Rican communities. Lexie Robinson, a Puerto Rican resident of Brooklyn, articulated her disgust with the remarks, asserting that the portrayal of Puerto Rico was not only disrespectful but also dismissive of the contributions made by the Puerto Rican community in New York City.
Robinson, despite her criticisms of Harris’ stance on some international issues, is resolutely voting for her, motivated by the urgency of the current political climate and the need for a compassionate leadership.
Despite the uproar, Hinchcliffe attempted to deflect criticism by stating his affection for Puerto Rico, claiming he has vacationed there and maintains that his routine pokes fun at everyone, adding, “These people have no sense of humor,” further stoking the tensions around his remarks at the Trump rally.
