Oct 29, V7N- At a Trump rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe sparked outrage by making disparaging jokes about Puerto Rico, calling it an "island of garbage." The comments stirred frustration and anger among Puerto Rican Americans, who make up a substantial voting bloc in key states. Many have responded with pledges to support Kamala Harris in response to what they viewed as racist and offensive rhetoric.
 
Harris, meanwhile, has focused campaign efforts on Puerto Rican voters, emphasizing policies aimed at revitalizing the U.S. territory’s economy. During a stop at a Puerto Rican restaurant in Pennsylvania, she discussed plans for job creation and aid for the island, a sharp contrast to the atmosphere at the Trump rally. Endorsements from Puerto Rican celebrities, including Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, have further amplified her message, with prominent figures criticizing Trump for his past handling of hurricane relief for Puerto Rico.
 
Trump’s campaign attempted to distance itself from Hinchcliffe's comments, but some Puerto Rican community members and progressive leaders, like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have suggested that the rhetoric fits a pattern of hostility toward Hispanic communities. Given the pivotal role Puerto Rican voters could play in the upcoming election, this incident may have lasting implications, especially as several Puerto Ricans express renewed support for Harris and increased distrust toward Trump’s campaign.
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