In a contentious twist ahead of the November 5 election, former President Donald Trump is facing widespread backlash from the Puerto Rican community and prominent figures like Grammy-winning artists Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin. The controversy erupted after a comedian at Trump's rally in Madison Square Garden made derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico, igniting tensions in a race where Latino voters could play a decisive role.
Stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who performed at Trump's closing campaign rally, referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage" during his set. "I don't know if you guys know this, but there's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it's called Puerto Rico," Hinchcliffe said, drawing immediate condemnation.
The remarks have been met with outrage from both sides of the political aisle. GOP Representative María Elvira Salazar of Florida, who was born in Puerto Rico, swiftly condemned Hinchcliffe's comments. "Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe's racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage,'" she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values."
Democratic leaders also criticized the remarks, emphasizing their potential impact on the Latino electorate. Mayor Matt Tuerk of Allentown, Pennsylvania-a city with a significant Puerto Rican population-expressed his dismay. "I couldn't believe what I heard from that Trump rally," Tuerk said. "Seeing that type of hatred on full display not only angered me but deepened my resolve to do everything I can to make sure that he never sits in the Oval Office again."
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who boasts 45 million followers on Instagram, amplified Vice President Kamala Harris's response to the incident. He shared a video of Harris criticizing Trump's past actions toward Puerto Rico, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. "I will never forget what Donald Trump did-and what he did not do-when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader," Harris said in the video.
The timing of the controversy is critical, as both Trump and Harris are locked in a razor-thin race and are vying for the influential Latino vote. Puerto Ricans constitute the second-largest Latino group in the United States, with significant populations in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 5.8 million Puerto Ricans live on the mainland and are eligible to vote.
Trump's campaign attempted to distance itself from Hinchcliffe's remarks. Senior advisor Danielle Alvarez stated, "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign." Hinchcliffe, however, defended his performance, saying on social media, "These people have no sense of humor. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone... watch the whole set."
The incident has galvanized support for Harris among Latino voters. On Sunday, Harris unveiled an "Opportunity Economy" agenda for Puerto Rico, pledging to create a task force focused on economic opportunities and infrastructure improvements on the island. "Puerto Rico is home to some of the most talented, innovative, and ambitious people in our nation, and Puerto Ricans deserve a president who sees and invests in that strength," Harris said.
Harris emphasized her commitment to the island, contrasting her approach with Trump's past actions. "He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults," she said, referring to Trump's controversial visit to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, during which he was criticized for tossing paper towels into a crowd.
The Puerto Rican community's reaction could influence the election outcome, particularly in swing states. Lexie Robinson, a Puerto Rican resident of Brooklyn, voiced her concerns. "It's vile that Puerto Rico was referred to as a floating island of garbage," she said. "They are literally in NYC, a city that is part of our great migration, a city we have given so much culture to, so much love, music, food, community-so much of ourselves to."
