Donald Trump may encounter significant backlash from Puerto Ricans during his upcoming rally in Pennsylvania. This follows a controversial set by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a recent Trump event, where he referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage” and made other derogatory remarks about various communities.
The comments stirred outrage, including criticism from Republican officials in Puerto Rico. The chairman of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico publicly called for Trump to apologize and has threatened to withdraw support if he doesn’t.
While Trump avoided addressing the backlash directly at recent events, he claimed to be unaware of Hinchcliffe when questioned. Nonetheless, he faces a tense atmosphere at his Allentown rally, which is set in a city with a notably large Puerto Rican population.
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Reports indicate that many Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania are furious about the comment, with protests being organized for the rally. Norberto Dominguez, a local Democratic Party precinct captain, emphasized how insulting such remarks can be, especially in a crucial swing state like Pennsylvania.
In response to the incident, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Puerto Rican Agenda condemned the remarks and called on Latino voters to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. They stated, “We Puerto Ricans and Latinos are an integral part of the cultural fabric of the United States,” urging a strong voting turnout on November 5.
This controversy underscores the potential electoral consequences for Trump, especially as recent polls show a tight race for the state’s 19 electoral votes against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Both campaigns have heavily targeted Latino voters in Pennsylvania, keen on securing their support.
Locals recall Trump’s prior remarks about Puerto Rico, including his infamous paper towel toss during a visit after Hurricane Maria. Harris criticized Trump’s recent events for inflaming divisions and highlighted her support from prominent Puerto Ricans like rapper Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez.
In contrast, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, dismissed the insult as possibly just a bad joke, expressing fatigue over widespread outrage regarding such remarks.