Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, in New York.
At a rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, a stand-up routine meant to rally support for Donald Trump may have taken a politically disastrous turn for the Republican presidential candidate .
Driving the news
- Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for his provocative humor, took the stage and referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage”—a remark that sparked swift backlash across the Puerto Rican diaspora.
- Hinchcliffe’s comments are causing significant backlash, especially in the swing state of Pennsylvania, home to nearly half a million Puerto Ricans.
- As Election Day approaches, the Trump campaign is now on defense, struggling to contain the fallout in key states with significant Puerto Rican populations, especially Pennsylvania.
Why it matters
- In 1898, following the conclusion of the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico came under the control of the United States, which acquired the island from Spain. The residents of Puerto Rico were granted American citizenship by the US government in 1917.
- Despite their status as American citizens, those living in Puerto Rico do not have the right to vote in
US presidential elections . Nevertheless, Puerto Ricans can indirectly impact the electoral process by influencing relatives who reside in one of the fifty states. - Puerto Ricans in the US mainland, particularly in swing states, are a rapidly growing political force. This becomes more significant as there are now more Puerto Ricans in the US than on the island.
- Trump has been working to peel away Hispanic voters from the Democratic base. But remarks perceived as demeaning to Puerto Ricans risk alienating this community, especially as voting power has grown with new arrivals after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
- Pennsylvania, which Trump won in 2016 but lost narrowly in 2020, could be decided by a few thousand votes, making every voter count.
The big picture
- Hinchcliffe’s remarks are not just a blunder—they highlight Trump’s longstanding struggle with Puerto Rican voters who remember his response to Hurricane Maria, when he controversially threw paper towels to hurricane survivors and called the island “dirty.”
- While Trump’s team distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s words, critics argue the campaign’s failure to vet the comedian reflects poorly on its approach to Latino voters.
- Though no single state in itself can make or mark the US presidential elections. The entire system of Electoral College was devised for such scenarios only. But over the years, the presidential election has come to be defined by the results in so-called swing states. And to Trump’s discomfort, Pennsylvania is a key swing states.
- In this neck and neck race, losing Pennsylvania may ultimately cost Trump the White House race.
What they’re saying
- Hinchcliffe, on his part, tried to clear his remarks but has failed to convince many Puerto Rican and Latino voters.
- Javier Torres Martinez, a Puerto Rican native living near Miami, put it bluntly: “The damage is done.”
- “Before I was 100 percent convinced to vote for Trump and now I am 100 percent motivated to go out and vote for
Kamala Harris ,” the 45-year-old health insurance executive told AFP. - Victor Martinez, Allentown resident and owner of Spanish-language radio station La Mega, told Politico: “If we weren’t engaged before, we’re all paying attention now. … This was just like a gift from the gods.” Martinez added that his show was flooded with calls from Puerto Rican listeners offended by the remarks.
- Republican Rep Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania condemned the comedian’s performance, saying, “The only thing that’s ‘garbage’ was a bad comedy set.”
- Trump’s senior adviser, Danielle Alvarez, was quick to clarify: “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
- Yes, but: Trump’s allies have attempted to downplay the comments.
- JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, said at a Wisconsin rally, “Let’s have a sense of humor and let’s have a little fun,” asserting the reaction was overblown. However, others in the GOP, particularly in states with large Puerto Rican communities, have privately voiced concerns about potential fallout.
As close at it gets
- The latest polling averages from the New York Times show the US presidential race between Harris and Trump in a virtual tie nationally, with Harris leading by less than one percentage point. K
- More importantly, key swing states are extremely close, with Harris and Trump tied or within a margin of less than one point in pivotal states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Trump holds a slight edge in Georgia and Arizona, while Harris has a marginal lead in Michigan.
- The tight polling suggests that either candidate could win the electoral college through these swing states, where polls indicate no decisive advantage.
- As per the NYT poll tracker, both candidates appear to have stable bases that bring them close to 200 electoral votes each, but must secure critical swing states to reach the required 270 votes.
Trump and Harris chase Latino vote
- With the presidential election expected to be decided by narrow margins in key states, Latino voters could play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
- Latino voters could be pivotal in the US election, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.
- With 36.2 million eligible Hispanic voters, even slight shifts in preference may impact the outcome.
- Latino voters, however, are not a monolithic bloc.
- Both Harris and Trump have intensified their outreach to Latinos, from Spanish-language ads to community-focused discussions.
- While traditionally leaning Democratic, many polls are showing some growing support for Donald Trump, especially among those prioritizing economic issues and immigration control.
- But now, Harris’s campaign has seized on the Puerto Rican insult, rolling out support initiatives for the territory, while Trump’s team is in damage control.
- The backlash has also become a focal point in social media networks, with voters on platforms like WhatsApp urging others to show up and vote against Trump.
What’s next
- Trump’s campaign faces a critical decision on how to move forward in states like Pennsylvania, where Puerto Rican voters can make or break his chances.
- Though no single state in itself can make or mark the US presidential elections. The entire system of Electoral College was devised for such scenarios only. But over the years, the presidential election has come to be defined by the results in so-called swing states. And to Trump’s discomfort, Pennsylvania is a key swing states.
- Despite attempts to refocus his campaign on core issues like inflation and immigration, the damage control from this rally incident will likely continue to reverberate.
- As Trump seeks to secure swing-state wins, his campaign will need to tread carefully, lest the “garbage” comment become a defining factor in key Puerto Rican communities.
- The incident underscores the importance of every voter in the increasingly diverse battlegrounds, where even minor missteps could tip the scales come November.
(With inputs from agencies)