Tasteless joke backfires at Trump rally, which a MAGA comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a floating Island of garbage. Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin and Puerto Rico's Governor Pedro Pierluisi backed Harris after Trump rally racist remarks targeted at Puerto Rico. Also Forward Latino in Franklin, Wisconsin condemned the Trump rally hate speech.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
October 27, 2024
Washington, D.C. - On Sunday, the National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) organization denounced Trump's rally hate speech referring to Puerto Rico as a floating Island of garbage. In a press release, LULAC says that they strongly support Puerto Ricans and all Latinos in denouncing the hurtful and derogatory comments made at Sunday's Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. During the rally, podcast host and (MAGA) comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, one of the speakers, referred to Puerto Rico as "a floating island of garbage." He also disparaged Latinos who, he mocked, "enjoy making babies."
The National LULAC organization's PAC endorsed Harris and Walz in August.
"We are shocked but not surprised that the Trump campaign in New York today has stooped to allow a speaker to call the island of Puerto Rico 'floating garbage,'" said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President. "LULAC does not care how they spin it; these words spewed by a so-called comedian should have never been allowed and should have been immediately rejected and condemned by Donald Trump. However, as usual, he has remained silent and, in the process, insulted millions of proud people who are Puerto Rican and live on the island and throughout the United States. It is a sad day in our country when statements like these go unchallenged by a candidate seeking the highest office in the land. This should preview what we can expect if he returns to the White House. Shame on him!"
The Trump campaign's tolerance for offensive humor, especially against Puerto Rico and its residents, highlights a disturbing pattern of disregard toward the island's people and its challenges. Millions of Puerto Ricans have been rebuilding after a series of devastating natural disasters, from hurricanes to earthquakes, and are a proud and resilient community. Such careless words not only deepen wounds but also normalize harmful rhetoric.
LULAC National Board Member and Vice President for the Southeast United States, Mari Corugedo, who is of Puerto Rican descent, added, "To belittle Puerto Rico and call it 'an island of garbage' is an attack not only on Puerto Ricans but on the very fabric of America. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens who serve, sacrifice, and contribute daily to our nation. They deserve dignity and respect, not insults or paper towels thrown in place of real support. Puerto Rico is part of the United States. Puerto Ricans are proud Americans—loyal, hardworking, and essential to our country's strength and diversity. They deserve leaders who recognize their worth, not those who degrade them. We will vote!"
LULAC demands a formal apology from the Trump campaign and a retraction of the offensive statement. The Latino community will not accept or ignore blatant disrespect toward Puerto Ricans and all who call Puerto Rico home. These remarks, dismissed as "jokes," are harmful reminders that the struggle for respect and equality continues, according to LULAC's press release.
The tasteless joke at the Trump rally about referring to Puerto Rico as a floating Island of garbage backfired against Trump and the MAGA comedian Hinchcliffe, Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny backed Presidential candidate Kamala Harris by posting Harris's pledge to Puerto Rico in his account of 45M followers in Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/stories/badbunnypr/) after the Trump rally racist remarks targeted at Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin, also backed Harris on Sunday.
Other Latino artists and many Republicans followed suit in support of Puerto Rico and on Sunday, Harris renewed her pledged of economic support for Puerto Rico while campaigning in Philadelphia.
Puerto Rico's Governor Pedro Pierluisi also backed Harris and called for Puerto Ricans to vote for Harris and show their force against bigotry at the ballot box.
Forward Latino National President Darryl Morin in Wisconsin issued the following statement:
“Forward Latino condemns last night’s statement made by a featured speaker at Donald Trump’s closely scripted and choreographed rally in New York City, New York. The speaker referred to the United States Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” While the campaign quickly disavowed the statement, Donald Trump’s record on Puerto Rico during his presidency closely aligns with the statement. An independent investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development found that Donald Trump blocked the release of approximately $20 billion in emergency aid that the island which it was approved to receive. Because of this, numerous projects were canceled or delayed and the majority of the island was without power for over 10 months, causing the needless loss of additional American lives.
It is important that we remember that all Puerto Ricans are United States Citizens and that they have fought and died to defend the rights of all American Citizens. According to the United States Department of Defense, since World War I Puerto Ricans have participated in every major U.S. military conflicts.
The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) also condemned the offensive remarks by Hinchcliffe at the Trump rally. Hinchcliffe is not a representative of the Trump campaign and his remarks do not reflect the views of the campaign. His words reflect nothing but a poorly executed joke by a misinformed comedian, according to the RNHA.
Video referring to Puerto Rico as a floating Island of garbage at link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpkCIUgYO5/
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