Trump rally joke stirs Puerto Rican fury and political stakes
Puerto Ricans are furious after a comic at a Trump rally mocked the island, sparking island-wide outrage and potentially affecting the election.
At Madison Square Garden, Tony Hinchcliffe shocked the crowd, calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage.”
Phones across Puerto Rico lit up within minutes as the community reacted to the latest insult toward the U.S. territory.
Puerto Ricans can’t vote in general elections but have powerful influence through their relatives in swing states.
This backlash could boost Kamala Harris, who’s competing with Trump for the Puerto Rican vote in states like Pennsylvania.
Just hours after the rally, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny announced his support for Harris.
Hinchcliffe’s routine included offensive remarks targeting Latinos, Jews, and Black people—key communities in the election.
This rally is the latest flashpoint in an election where cultural respect and representation are front and centre.