The Trump campaign is grappling with an October surprise just a week before Election Day. The controversy began after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, a warm-up act at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, made a racially charged joke, referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” and using other offensive tropes. Vice President Kamala Harris and key Democrats are now amplifying the remarks, aiming to mobilize Latino voters in crucial swing states against Trump.
Democrats Push to Inform Latino Voters
Vice President Harris and other Democratic leaders are focusing on ensuring Latino voters hear Hinchcliffe’s remarks, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Democrats’ strategy involves saturating the media and digital ads with the comedian’s words, emphasizing Trump’s associations with divisive language and his campaign’s failure to rebuke Hinchcliffe’s statements.
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha, advising Nuestro PAC, reported sending the clip to every Puerto Rican voter in Pennsylvania. “This is an unforced error,” Rocha noted. “Puerto Rican voters are very sensitive about their island and how you talk about it.”
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In Pennsylvania alone, more than 400,000 Puerto Ricans or descendants live, contributing to a slim Trump lead of 0.4% in The Hill/Decision Desk HQ poll. In Allentown, a city 50 miles from Philadelphia and home to over 34,000 Puerto Ricans, the reaction has been particularly intense. Harris’ campaign quickly responded with a digital ad for Latino voters, declaring that “Puerto Ricans deserve better.”
Reactions from Democratic Leaders
Harris, during her campaign remarks on Monday, criticized Trump’s New York rally, saying, “He is focused and actually fixated on his grievances, on himself and on dividing our country.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of Puerto Rican descent, condemned the event as a “hate rally” on MSNBC, accusing Hinchcliffe of fanning “red-meat racism” to a receptive crowd. Hinchcliffe’s response that the crowd “had no sense of humor” only intensified the backlash.
Trump Campaign and GOP Figures Respond
The Trump campaign, recognizing the potential fallout, moved quickly to distance itself. Senior adviser Danielle Alvarez stated that Hinchcliffe’s words did not represent Trump or his campaign, though Trump has yet to comment directly. Other GOP members, such as Sen. Rick Scott from Florida, home to over 1 million Puerto Ricans, condemned the comedian’s remarks, calling them “not funny and not true.” Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), who has Puerto Rican roots, labeled the comedy as “garbage.”
However, Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, took a different approach, expressing frustration at the outcry and calling for people to “stop taking offense so easily.” Yet, many Republicans remain concerned that the incident could harm Trump’s standing with Latino voters.
Impact on Latino Voter Sentiment
The Trump campaign’s hopes of winning over Latino voters, particularly young men, could face a setback. Democrats argue that the Puerto Rico remarks may not only alienate Puerto Rican Americans but could also resonate with other Latino communities, stirring a broader sense of offense.
According to Democratic strategist José Parra, the timing and sensitivity of the issue could make it pivotal in close races, especially in Pennsylvania. Parra commented, “If Pennsylvania swings toward the Democrats, I think you can look back on this as a pivotal moment.”
