Puerto Rican singer Nicky Jam announced on Wednesday, via a social media post, that he is rescinding his support for Republican candidate Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. In an Instagram post, the urban music artist elaborated on the reasons for his change in stance regarding Trump.
"Folks, I usually don't address these kinds of matters on camera or on my social media," the singer began. "The reason I initially supported Donald Trump was that I believed he was the best choice for the economy in the United States, where many Latinos, including myself, live. Many immigrants are struggling due to economic issues, and since he is a businessman, I thought it was the right move," he explained.
However, Nicky Jam expressed his disillusionment following controversial remarks made by comedian Kill Tony (Tony Hinchcliffe), known for his close ties to Trump's circle. During a performance, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a "trash island," sparking outrage.
"I never imagined that a month later, a comedian would come and insult my country and speak poorly of it. Therefore, I am withdrawing any support for Donald Trump and distancing myself from any political involvement," he declared with conviction. He concluded with a resounding, "Puerto Rico deserves respect."
The incident involving Kill Tony occurred at a recent Trump rally in New York. In addition to his comments about Puerto Rico, he made derogatory remarks about Latinos and other ethnic groups, which were met with indignation from numerous Latin artists, including Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and Luis Fonsi, all born in Puerto Rico, as well as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, who were born in New York to Puerto Rican parents.
Despite the outrage from some in the Latino community, Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio defended Trump, stating, "Puerto Rico is not trash; it is home to fellow American citizens who have made significant contributions to our country."
Previously, Nicky Jam participated in a Trump rally in Las Vegas, where he eagerly joined the former president on stage and even donned a red "Make America Great Again" cap, as reported by La Vanguardia. On stage, the reggaeton star expressed his gratitude for meeting Trump, stating, "People from where I come from don't usually get to meet the president." He also asserted that "we need him (Trump) back" in the presidency, a contest set to be decided in the upcoming November election.
This expression of support led the iconic Mexican band Maná to withdraw their musical collaboration with Nicky Jam from streaming platforms, viewing his support for Trump as an act of racism. Maná reiterated their commitment to defending the rights of those born in Latin American countries on Facebook, stating, "For the past 30 years, Maná has supported and defended the rights of Latinos worldwide. No business or promotion is worth more than the dignity of our people."