Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania Respond to Trump Rally Joke, Election Impact Debated

The North Philadelphia neighborhood of Fairhill prominently displays Puerto Rican culture, with the US island territory’s red, white, and blue flag visible on residences and businesses, and salsa and reggaetón music emanating from vehicles and eateries offering fried plantains and spit-roasted pork. This area serves as a vital center for Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican population, exceeding 90,000 individuals, and constitutes an important segment of Pennsylvania’s broader Latino community, which both the Democratic and Republican parties have actively courted in anticipation of the 5 November election. However, on Monday morning, numerous local residents expressed strong anger regarding a remark delivered at Donald Trump’s rally in New York the previous night, where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe characterized Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage.” Some observers suggested that this comment might negatively impact the Republican party in a crucial swing state, which Democrats secured by a slim 1.17% margin, equivalent to approximately 82,000 votes, in 2020. Ivonne Torres Miranda, a local resident who stated her disillusionment with both Republican Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris with only eight days remaining in the campaign, remarked, “The campaign just hurt itself, so much. It’s crazy to me.” She further conveyed to the BBC, speaking in rapid-fire Spanish with a strong Puerto Rican accent, “Even if he [Mr Hinchcliffe ] was joking – you don’t joke like that. “We’re Puerto Ricans. We have dignity, and we have pride,”” adding, “”You’ve got to think before saying things.”” Subsequently, the Trump campaign promptly disassociated itself from Mr. Hinchcliffe’s joke, with a spokesman asserting that the comment “does not reflect the views” of Trump or his campaign. The Harris campaign seized upon the joke, with the vice-president interpreting the remark as an indication that Trump is “fanning the fuel of trying to divide” Americans. These sentiments were reiterated by Puerto Rican celebrities Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez, both of whom endorsed Harris on Sunday. An official from the Harris campaign informed CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that the controversy represented a political advantage for the Democrats. Several Puerto Rican residents concurred with this evaluation. Jessie Ramos, a Harris supporter, stated, “[The joke] just put it in the bag for us. He literally just gave us the win,” and further commented, “He has no idea how hard the Latino community is going to come out and support Kamala Harris.”” Although inhabitants of Puerto Rico, a US island territory situated in the Caribbean, are ineligible to cast ballots in presidential elections, the substantial diaspora residing in the US possesses this right. In Pennsylvania, approximately 600,000 eligible voters identify as Latino. Of these, over 470,000 are Puerto Ricans, representing one of the nation’s largest concentrations and a potentially decisive element in a state where surveys indicate an exceptionally close contest between Harris and Trump. North Philadelphia has been a particular focus for Harris, who conducted a campaign visit on Sunday at Freddy & Tony’s, a Puerto Rican restaurant and community center located in Fairhill. On that same day, Harris introduced a new policy framework for Puerto Rico, committing to economic development and enhanced disaster relief, and furthermore, accused Trump of having “abandoned and insulted” the island during Hurricane Maria in 2017. The extent to which this will influence Puerto Rican voters is yet to be determined. Dalma Santiago, the proprietor of Freddy & Tony’s, informed the BBC that she is uncertain if the joke will have a significant impact, but she believes it was perceived “loud and clear” within Fairhill and other Puerto Rican communities. She conveyed to the BBC, “Everybody has their own opinion,” adding, “”But nobody will be forgetting that one.”” Likewise, Moses Santana, a 13-year US Army veteran employed at a harm reduction facility in Fairhill, indicated his uncertainty regarding the joke’s influence. During an interview with the BBC on a Fairhill street corner, Mr. Santana observed that the locality typically exhibits skepticism towards politicians across the spectrum, with many holding the view that both major parties have neglected to address socio-economic challenges, crime, and drug abuse in the area. He further stated, “”Folks around here tend not to get what they ask for,”” concluding, “”Even when they vote.”” On Tuesday, Trump is scheduled to campaign in Allentown, a Pennsylvania town of approximately 125,000 residents, where about 33,000 individuals identify as Puerto Rican. Nevertheless, the joke was unfavorably received even among Trump supporters within Pennsylvania’s broader Latino community. This included Republican voter Jessenia Anderson, a Puerto Rican resident from Johnstown, situated approximately 240 miles (386 km) west of Philadelphia. Ms. Anderson, a military veteran who was born in New York’s heavily Puerto Rican Lower East Side, regularly attends Trump rallies in Pennsylvania. She characterized the joke as “deeply offensive” and found the routine to be “wildly out of place,” urging her fellow Republicans to engage in “thoughtful and respectful conversations.” However, Ms. Anderson has no intention of altering her vote. She stated, “”My belief in the party’s potential to make a positive impact remains strong,”” adding, “”I hope they will approach Latino voters with the respect they deserve.”” Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent, provides analysis of the presidential race in his twice-weekly US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers located in the UK can subscribe via this link, while those outside the UK can subscribe here. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available here.