Trump campaign tries to distance itself from Puerto Rico ‘joke’ at MSG rally: NPR

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

hide caption

change caption

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Vice President Harris promoted a new pledge to boost Puerto Rico’s economy in Philadelphia on Sunday — contrasting her approach with that of former President Donald Trump — as her message gained unexpected attention thanks to her opponent’s rally in New York.

A comedian who warms up the audience Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden called Puerto Rico a “floating island of trash” — sparking outrage from Boricuas far and wide and increasing support for Harris’ message.

Megastar Bad bunny posted Harris’ video message He pledged to work to create more jobs on the island and rebuild the rickety electricity grid to its 45 million Instagram followers, and other Puerto Rican artists followed suit.

Bad Bunny will perform in Miami on May 24, 2024.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP

hide caption

change caption

Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP

Trump’s campaign has distanced itself from the joke, one of many offensive lines of his act. Trump himself did not immediately comment on it during two campaign appearances in Georgia on Monday.

But from Wausau, Wisconsin, Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance dismissed the controversy.

“The way we unite the country is by talking about the issues the American people care about most,” Vance told reporters. He said he had heard about the offensive material but had not seen it.

“I’m not going to comment on the details of the joke, but I think we need to stop getting so offended about every little thing in the United States of America — I’m so over it,” Vance said.

Other Republicans also tried to distance Trump from the comment.

“Puerto Rico is not trash, it is home to fellow American citizens who have made tremendous contributions to our country,” wrote Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. a message on X. “I understand why some people were offended by a comedian’s jokes last night. But those weren’t Trump’s words. They were jokes from an offensive comedian who offends pretty much everyone all the time… because that’s what comedians offend.”

The ‘joke’ could have political consequences in a key state

Puerto Ricans living on the island are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. But the Boricuas who live on the mainland do — and in Pennsylvania, a crucial state in this year’s race, they have significant influence.

According to UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute: About 580,000 Latinos in Pennsylvania can vote in this election – and most of them are Puerto Rican.

Unidos US Action Fund said it would work to amplify the issue in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada as it works to get out the Latino vote.

“This level of disrespect toward Puerto Ricans and Latinos in general is unconscionable and, more importantly, a reminder that when people show who they are, they must be believed,” Rafael Collazo, the group’s executive director, said in a statement .

After Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, Trump decided doubted the death toll And fought with the mayor of San Juan about the federal response to the disaster. While visiting the island after the storm, he infamously threw rolls of paper towels at a group of people at a church gathering supplies.

On Monday, the Harris campaign cut one new television advertising with the comedian’s comments over footage of the island after 2017’s Hurricane Maria and footage of Trump throwing rolls of paper towels at a group of people at a church gathering supplies.

Harris told reporters she was proud to have the support of Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez, and said Trump’s rally was an example of how he has divided the country.

“Donald Trump spends his time trying to get Americans to point fingers at each other, stoking the fuel of hatred and division. And that’s why people are exhausted by him,” Harris said.

It was a message that former President Barack Obama echoed at a rally for Harris in Philadelphia, when he decried the phrase “island of trash” from the MSG rally.

“These are fellow citizens he’s talking about,” Obama said. “Here in Philadelphia, they’re your neighbors, they’re your friends, they’re your co-workers, they go to school with your kids. These are Americans. ”