At the recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's remarks targeting Puerto Rico sparked outrage not just among the crowd, but across social media, particularly from prominent Puerto Rican celebrities. His ill-fated joke, referring to Puerto Rico as "a floating island of garbage," quickly drew ire from millions who were offended by what many considered blatant racism.
Among those leading the charge against Hinchcliffe was actress and comedian Aubrey Plaza. Taking the stage at the WSJ Magazine's 2024 Innovator Awards, she didn't hold back her feelings about the derogatory comments. "Thankfully, my sweet abuelita wasn’t here to hear about those disgusting remarks. If she were alive today, I like to think she would say, ‘Tony Hinchcliffe, go f—k yourself,’" Plaza declared, calling upon the Wall Street Journal to quote her directly.
Plaza's sentiments echoed through social media, with many fans praising her boldness. A top comment on TikTok labeled it "serious Aubrey," reflecting the collective mood of disappointment directed at Hinchcliffe's harmful words.
While Plaza's condemnation was prominent, she wasn't alone. Global reggaeton star Bad Bunny also released a powerful response. Posting to his 45 million Instagram followers, Bad Bunny aired a stirring video celebrating Puerto Rican culture and heritage. His video expressed pride and resilience, ending with the message, “We are the definition of heart and resistance. For those who forget who we are, don’t worry, we will proudly remind them.” Bad Bunny didn't just stop there; he also went on to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, rallying Puerto Rican voters to show their support.
Underlining the failure of Trump's approach to the territory, Harris shared her past experiences with Hurricane Maria and underscored her commitment to Puerto Rico, stating, "I will never forget what Donald Trump did, or rather didn’t do when Puerto Rico needed a caring leader. He abandoned the island, offered nothing more than paper towels and insults." It was clear Harris aimed to bridge the gap between Puerto Rican representatives and voters.
Even Nicky Jam, once supportive of Trump, backtracked after Hinchcliffe's comments. The reggaeton artist stated, "I’m renouncing my support for Donald Trump and stepping away from any political conversation. Puerto Rico deserves respect." This shift shows the sway Hinchcliffe's comments had, especially within communities heavily impacted by Trump's previous actions.
The ripple effects of Hinchcliffe's comments reached political circles too. Reports indicated Trump’s campaign made efforts to distance itself from the comedian. Davis Alvarez, another Trump advisor, issued statements claiming Hinchcliffe's remarks didn’t resonate with the campaign’s values. Ironically, Trump falsely claimed not to know who Hinchcliffe was and dismissed the fallout as inconsequential, implying the comments were not significant.
Local Puerto Rican advocates expressed their frustration at the rally’s impact, pointing to the threats it posed to Trump's chances among Puerto Rican voters. With Puerto Ricans making up nearly 3.7% of Pennsylvania’s population, any alienation could cost Trump dearly. Local Democratic leaders highlighted the urgency, saying, "It’s not smart to insult voters and then expect their support. Many Puerto Rican voters are waking up. They’re paying attention now more than ever."">
Despite Trump's attempts to maintain his footing amid the political backlash, many within grassroots Puerto Rican movements called for solidarity to oppose the former president. Several advocacy groups began drafting letters urging voters to stand against him. The rising conversation echoes the sentiment shared by Bad Bunny and Plaza about unity, culture, and pride.
With the next election looming and political ads beginning to flood the airwaves, celebrities like Plaza and Bad Bunny are not only standing up against racism, but also rallying the influential Puerto Rican community. The collective resistance against demeaning language highlighted the ever-growing voice of the Hispanic community as they seek respect and representation.
Bringing the conversation back to recognition and respect, the actions of these celebrities underline the importance of representation and the influence of public figures during pivotal moments. This moment is undoubtedly pivotal—not only for the individuals involved but for the future of politics as it grapples with issues of race, respect, and representation.
