Several Puerto Rican singers, including Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, and René Pérez (Residente), have come to the defense of their homeland after disparaging comments made by a U.S. comedian supportive of Donald Trump towards Puerto Rico. At an election rally in New York, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe sparked outrage by referring to the island as 'a floating garbage island.' This statement generated immediate reactions in the Puerto Rican community.
In his remarks, Hinchcliffe stated that 'there is literally a floating garbage island in the ocean right now, I think it's called Puerto Rico.' He later attempted to justify his words by claiming it was humor and that Puerto Ricans 'don't have a sense of humor.' Additionally, he defended his appreciation for the island as a tourist destination and accused Democrats of taking his comments out of context to label him as 'racist.'
Ricky Martin posted a video on social media showing Hinchcliffe's statements and asking people to share it, urging them to vote thoughtfully on November 5 for the respect and dignity of the community. For its part, the Democratic Party has demanded that Trump and his supporters clarify if they share Hinchcliffe's stance, while the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has requested an apology for the offensive comments.
Singers like Luis Fonsi and Residente also spoke out on social media against the discriminatory comments, calling for not supporting those who endorse such attitudes. Bad Bunny, another internationally recognized Puerto Rican artist, retweeted a message highlighting the need for a Puerto Rico that is respected and valued. Amid the controversy, the Boricua community has reaffirmed its unity and struggle for respect towards their land.
