Donald Trump's recent rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has stirred widespread anger among the state's sizable Puerto Rican population following a series of offensive remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump event in Madison Square Garden. The comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage," comments that have sparked outrage across the Puerto Rican community, especially in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state with nearly half a million Puerto Ricans.
Victor Martinez, a radio station owner in Allentown, says his station has been inundated with calls from upset listeners. "As a Puerto Rican, there's no apology that will do," remarked one caller. Martinez, along with local business owners Yesenia Westerband and Guillermo Lopez, has seen firsthand how the remarks have ignited a sense of indignation among Puerto Ricans, many of whom may now be swayed in their voting decisions.
For many, the insult comes at a particularly sensitive time. Pennsylvania holds significant sway in the upcoming election, and with 19 electoral votes at stake, the state's Puerto Rican population could be a deciding factor in a tightly contested race. President Joe Biden won the state in 2020 by just over 80,000 votes, making every demographic crucial in this year's election.
Hinchcliffe's remarks have quickly spread across the Puerto Rican community, not just in Pennsylvania but also in New York and Florida, according to New York State Sen. Gustavo Rivera. Rivera, who was born in Puerto Rico, said he's been flooded with messages from Puerto Ricans across the country expressing outrage. "This is an important turning point," he said, hoping that the backlash could energize voters as the election nears.
Despite the outcry, Trump has attempted to distance himself from the comedian's remarks. The former president told ABC News that he does not know Hinchcliffe and didn't hear the comments at the event. His campaign also released a statement disavowing the jokes, with adviser Danielle Alvarez stating, "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign."
However, the damage may already be done. In a close race, any controversy could have a significant impact. Republican consultant Mike Madrid noted that there are about 33,500 Puerto Rican voters in Allentown alone. "The racial slurs at Trump's rally in Madison Square Garden could cost him the election," Madrid warned, suggesting that even a marginal shift in Pennsylvania could determine the outcome.
In an effort to mitigate the fallout, Trump held a rally in Allentown, a city with a majority Latino population. During his address, Trump avoided mentioning the controversial remarks but emphasized his commitment to the Puerto Rican community. "I will deliver the best future for Puerto Ricans and for Hispanic Americans," he declared, calling Puerto Rico's Republican shadow senator, Zoraida Buxo, to the stage to offer her support.
Yet, the Puerto Rican community remains deeply affected by the insults. Yesenia Westerband, a food truck owner who moved from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania, said the remarks were hurtful. "Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., but it often feels like the island is treated like an extra piece that's not really part of the country," she explained. Westerband, who is undecided on her vote, said the incident has certainly made an impact on her and her customers.
For Guillermo Lopez, a former union leader and community activist, Trump's tenure has been fraught with offensive rhetoric toward Latinos. He pointed out that even individuals who weren't previously vocal about politics are now speaking out, motivated by pride and a sense of injustice. "Since this happened, it's like somebody put a bat signal out and they're coming out of the woodwork," Lopez said, citing friends and acquaintances who are now planning to vote after initially intending to sit out the election.
As Election Day approaches, the fallout from the Madison Square Garden rally continues to reverberate. Protesters gathered outside Trump's rally in Allentown, with demonstrators like Enid Santiago saying the offensive remarks have galvanized previously apathetic voters. "People who were sitting out are now pissed off," Santiago said.
