Donald Trump has characterized his rally in New York City on Sunday night as an "absolute lovefest," amid bipartisan calls for him to apologize for a comedian’s controversial joke that sparked widespread outrage. Speaking about the Madison Square Garden event, the Republican presidential contender expressed pride in being part of it, despite efforts to distance himself from the stand-up comic who referred to Puerto Rico as "an island of garbage."
Opinion polls indicate that Trump and his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, are effectively tied just one week before the November 5 election, intensifying their efforts to appeal to Latino voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state with a significant Puerto Rican population.
In response to the backlash, several individuals from the Puerto Rican community have voiced strong criticism of the comedian, Tony Hinchliffe, including Angel Cintron, president of Puerto Rico's Republican Party, who labeled the joke "disgraceful, ignorant, and totally reprehensible." In an interview with ABC News, Trump attempted to distance himself from the incident, stating, "I don't know him, someone put him up there. I don't know who he is."
At his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump reiterated his view of the rally, describing the atmosphere as "breathtaking." His supporters have countered the criticism by highlighting a joke made by actor George Lopez at a Harris rally, portraying a double standard in the political discourse.
Over the weekend, Harris also introduced a new policy framework focusing on Puerto Rico, emphasizing economic development and enhanced disaster relief efforts while accusing Trump of neglecting the island during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Trump’s team responded, asserting that he allocated billions in recovery funds for Puerto Rico.
On Tuesday, at a campaign event in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Trump assured a Puerto Rican voter that his administration has significantly benefited the island during tough times. In a bid to move past the controversy, the Republican candidate directed criticism toward Harris, labeling her record on critical issues such as border control and inflation as failures that he promises to rectify.
