US politicians, celebrities blast Trump-allied comedian for calling Puerto Rico 'garbage'; Reuters, October 28, 2024

Gram Slattery,  Helen Coster and Alexandra Ulmer, Reuters; US politicians, celebrities blast Trump-allied comedian for calling Puerto Rico 'garbage'

"Ed Rosa, 60, a New York resident whose parents were born in Puerto Rico and who attended a Trump rally in May, said he had been planning to vote for Trump, but will now sit the election out after Hinchcliffe's comments. He has removed the Trump campaign signs he had placed in the windows and yard of his North Bronx home.

"It wasn't funny at all," said Rosa. "I really believe it was racist. And I was a very strong supporter of Trump until yesterday."

Americans of Puerto Rican origin or ancestry are an important demographic in some of the competitive swing states that will likely decide the winner of the Nov. 5 election, including Pennsylvania. Both candidates are fighting for the Latino vote, which has trended more Republican in recent years but still leans Democratic.

In a video posted on X on Sunday, Harris reacted directly to Hinchcliffe's comments saying, "Puerto Rico is home to some of the most talented, innovative and ambitious people in our nation.""

Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin Show Support for Kamala Harris After Comedian Insults Puerto Rico at Trump Rally; The Hollywood Reporter, October 27, 2024

Kimberly Nordyke , The Hollywood Reporter; Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin Show Support for Kamala Harris After Comedian Insults Puerto Rico at Trump Rally

"Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin were among those showing support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harrison Sunday night after a comedian made a racist joke about Puerto Rico at Donald Trump’s rally on Sunday.

At the rally, which was held at New York’s Madison Square Garden, stand-up comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and Black people, all of whom are key constituencies in the election, which is just nine days away.

“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 during the rally.

Hinchcliffe’s joke was immediately criticized by Harris’ campaign as it competes with Trump to win over Puerto Rican communities in Pennsylvania and other swing states."