Key Takeaways:
– Many Puerto Ricans, such as Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny, criticise Trump over remarks made at his closing campaign rally in New York.
– The controversial comments about Puerto Rico were actually made by Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known as Kill Tony, not Trump himself.
– Following the backlash, Trump’s team quickly distanced themselves from the joke.
– Trump’s relationship with Puerto Rico has long been complicated, with many condemning his response to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Trump Draws Fire from Puerto Ricans
Criticism has been directed towards the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after his closing campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. High-profile Puerto Ricans, including Grammy-winning musicians Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny, were among the voices expressing their disapproval.
Comedian Sparks Controversy
The main cause of controversy was not, however, Trump himself but a comedian known as Kill Tony, whose real name is Tony Hinchcliffe. He drew widespread condemnation for making a series of jokes filled with racist stereotypes. His most notable remark, referring to the Caribbean island as a “floating island of garbage,” particularly incensed many.
The GOP Responds
The backlash to Hinchcliffe’s inflammatory comments was not just from the opposing party. Several Republican politicians voiced their displeasure, including Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, who was driven to clarify that the joke did not “reflect GOP values.”
Trump’s Campaign Distances Itself
In the face of the ensuing controversy and in an attempt to court Latino votes, Trump’s campaign quickly distanced itself from the joke. Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser, promptly declared, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Trump’s Complicated History with Puerto Rico
Trump’s already fraught relationship with Puerto Rico came under further scrutiny as a result of this incident. The island’s complex history with the former president was highlighted in an Instagram post by Bad Bunny. He shared a series of clips in which Harris critiqued Trump’s inadequate response to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The post reads, “I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader.” In particular, Trump’s attempt to withhold aid after the devastating hurricanes, and his infamous response of throwing paper towels, is widely viewed as dismissive and inadequate.
Puerto Rico on the Voting Platform
Puerto Rico, despite being a territory of the United States, has no vote in U.S. Presidential elections due to Electoral College provisions. However, Puerto Ricans registered in any of the U.S. states can vote absentee or travel to their state to vote. Although Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, such as the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, cannot participate in the general election, both the Democrat and Republican Parties allow them to choose delegates for the nominating conventions.
Trump’s handling of the fallout after Hurricane Maria, which followed Hurricane Irma, caused significant damage and resulted in massive power outages across the island. Thousands of lives were lost in the disaster, raising questions about disaster management and state responsibilities. Many Puerto Ricans, both on the island and in the mainland, are questioning whether the current administration truly upholds GOP values and stands for them, as represented in the controversy at Trump’s rally. This incident and the response could potentially weigh heavily on the minds of many Puerto Rican voters as the country moves towards future elections.