A rally hosted by Donald Trump last Sunday in New York sparked controversy due to comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, known as Kill Tony. During his performance, he referred to Puerto Rico as a "trash island" and made derogatory remarks about Latinos and other ethnic groups. These comments were met with outrage from prominent Latin artists such as Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and Luis Fonsi, all born in Puerto Rico, as well as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, both born in New York to Puerto Rican parents. Although the Trump campaign officially distanced itself from this rhetoric, it did not go unnoticed by these artists who openly expressed their disapproval and predominantly voiced their support for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for the presidency.
Through their social media platforms, these artists criticized the event's tone and reiterated their backing of Harris. Bad Bunny, wielding significant influence among young Latinos, posted an Instagram message in support of the candidate, urging for respect and solidarity among communities. In his stories, Bad Bunny shared a video of Harris stating, "I will never forget what Donald Trump did and did not do when Puerto Rico needed a compassionate and competent leader. He abandoned the island, attempted to block aid after devastating consecutive hurricanes, and offered nothing but toilet paper and insults."
Artists Rally for Respect and Unity
Ricky Martin, typically known for his more centrist political stance, also voiced his dissatisfaction. Despite having supported Republican candidates in the past, this time he, like other Puerto Ricans, expressed concern over the rally's comments and joined the movement supporting Harris. "This is what they think of us. Vote for Kamala Harris," Martin stated, sharing a clip of Hinchcliffe's remarks.
Singer Luis Fonsi also condemned the comedian's words. "Is this for real?" he questioned on social media, labeling the performance as "disrespectful." "It's okay to have different viewpoints, but pursuing this racist path is not. I am very proud to be Puerto Rican, and I'm very proud to be Latino. We do not agree with this constant hatred. It's clear that these people don't respect us, yet they still want our vote," Fonsi concluded.
Remembering Trump's Response to Puerto Rico
Marc Anthony voiced his disapproval and recalled how the Trump administration handled the crisis in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. In a heartfelt tweet, Anthony recounted the actions of the former president during that tragedy, highlighting his decision to block aid funds for the island and his lack of empathy toward Puerto Ricans. With an emotional tone, the singer stated, "I remember what it was like when Trump was president... he launched his campaign calling Latinos criminals and rapists." He added his support for Harris, arguing that beyond political parties, this election represents the dignity and unity of the United States.
Jennifer Lopez was another Latin star who showed her support for Harris. The singer shared on her Instagram stories the same post as Bad Bunny, in which Harris promises to "build economic opportunities for Puerto Rico."
The explicit backing from Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez could potentially influence the voting behavior of young Latinos, a demographic traditionally leaning towards the Democratic Party but often showing low voter turnout.