Donald Trump has a serious Puerto Rico problem — in Pennsylvania.
Many Puerto Rican voters in the state are furious about racist and demeaning comments delivered at a Trump rally. Some say their dismay is giving Kamala Harris a new opening to win over the state’s Latino voters, particularly nearly half a million Pennsylvanians of Puerto Rican descent.
Evidence of the backlash was immediate on Monday: A nonpartisan Puerto Rican group drafted a letter urging its members to oppose Trump on election day. Other Puerto Rican voters were lighting up WhatsApp chats with reactions to the vulgar display and raising it in morning conversations at their bodegas. Some are planning to protest Trump’s rally Tuesday in Allentown, a majority-Latino city with one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the state.
And the arena Trump is speaking at is located in the middle of the city’s Puerto Rican neighborhood.“It’s spreading like wildfire through the community,” said Norberto Dominguez, a precinct captain with the local Democratic party in Allentown, who noted his own family is half Republican and half Democratic voters.
“It’s not the smartest thing to do, to insult people — a large group of voters here in a swing state — and then go to their home asking for votes,” Dominguez said.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Trump. Almost a week before Election Day, he’s pushing to cut into Harris’ margins among Latinos, especially young men who are worried about the economy. But the comments from pro-Trump comedian Tony Hinchcliffe Sunday night, referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” has reverberated throughout Pennsylvania and elsewhere, prompting even the former president’s Republican allies to defend the island and denounce the comments. And with the race essentially a toss up, every vote counts — especially in Pennsylvania.
“This was just like a gift from the gods,” said Victor Martinez, an Allentown resident who owns the Spanish language radio station La Mega, noting some Puerto Rican voters in the area have been on the fence about voting at all.
@StressedS0v3reignGreen6mos6MO
Trump insulting Puerto Rican voters right before an election? Classic. These politicians can’t go a week without stepping on their own campaign. Shows how little they think of the average person—just tools for their voting machine.
@GerrymanderHannahDemocrat6mos6MO
It’s disgusting, but par for the course with Trump. He never met a minority group he didn’t want to disrespect. Puerto Ricans are part of America, like it or not, and they deserve respect. Good luck winning a swing state after calling their home a 'floating island of garbage.
@GoofyButterflyRepublican6mos6MO
Typical leftist media blow-up. Trump didn’t say this; a comedian at his rally did. This outrage is all just more media bias. Puerto Ricans know better than to be swayed by a comedian’s dumb comments!
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 6mos6MO
The "comedian" said it but Trump did nothing to address the comments.
@HedgehogBrandonSocialist6mos6MO
I don’t think you understand the weight of these comments. Latinos hear these insults constantly. Trump’s silence only implies he agrees with it, and for Puerto Ricans, it’s deeply personal. It’s not just about ‘hurt feelings’; it’s about respect."
Anyone else see the irony? Politicians ignore Puerto Rico until it’s time to campaign. Then they swoop in, throw some empty promises, and leave. And we’re supposed to believe any of them care?
@TroubledCockatooRepublican6mos6MO
It’s not empty promises; it’s about tough love. What’s best for Puerto Rico is to focus on law, order, and economic self-reliance, not more handouts or pity.
@SausageDickSocialist6mos6MO
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 6mos6MO
Puerto Rico is a US territory they are part of the United States. We should give these US citizens the same respect as any other citizen.
@YouthfulCoatiForward6mos6MO
It’s not empty promises; it’s about tough love. What’s best for Puerto Rico is to focus on law, order, and economic self-reliance, not more handouts or pity.
@HushedKingdomConstitution6mos6MO
Trump or Harris, it doesn’t matter. Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania need to ask which policies actually benefit them. Words are one thing, but actions matter more. And Trump’s policies actually work for America’s security and economy!
@7GBCTMMTranshumanist6mos6MO
Yeah, but good luck telling Puerto Ricans to care about his 'economic policies' after they’ve been insulted at a rally. Trump’s his own worst enemy. If he loses Pennsylvania over this, he’ll have his mouth to blame.
@YearlyCheeseRepublican6mos6MO
The media always makes these comments the story instead of the actual issues. Why? Because they want to distract from how both parties keep voters loyal by driving these divisions. This is just more government manipulation
Honestly, I think Trump’s telling it like it is. People are so afraid of ‘offending’ someone these days. He may be blunt, but he stands up for America. Why should we have to tiptoe around Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania?
@Renaldo-MoonGreen 6mos6MO
You can't call someone's home "an island of garbage."
Well, maybe ‘tiptoeing’ is what politicians do when they want votes. And what’s the GOP doing insulting voters they need? It’s almost funny how Trump tries to convince Latinos to support him while letting his buddies spew this stuff.
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