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With the general elections in the United States just days away, threats against immigrants by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump have gone beyond all imagination, supported by supporters who have added racist jokes, such as comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who in the middle of a rally in New York called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."
The stage was Madison Square Garden, the event: a Donald Trump rally. There, Hinchcliffe, who also hosts the podcast "Kill Tony," felt like he was in a three-ring circus and, as the opening act, decided to attack one of the communities that could change the direction of the elections this coming Tuesday: Latinos.
"There's a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it's called Puerto Rico," the comedian said.
The joke was not funny, much less for Latino voters, which could cost the Republican candidate millions of votes. Analysts agreed that Trump should be cautious in this type of action, however, the tycoon does not seem to care.
The reactions to the terrible "joke" were joined by those of several Democratic politicians, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of Puerto Rican descent, and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, who said in a video: "Who is that idiot?"
Tony Hinchcliffe responded to Walz's comments and through his X account he replied: "These people have no sense of humor. It's crazy that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his "busy schedule" to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist. I love Puerto Rico and I go on vacation there. I made fun of everyone... watch the whole show. I'm a comedian, Tim... maybe it's time to change your tampon."
For her part, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump's presidential contender, made her position clear by announcing actions to support the island's inhabitants, should she become president.
"There is too much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico. And this election is not just one between Donald Trump and me, it is a lesson between two very different visions for our nation: one, his, focused on the past and on himself, and the other, ours, focused on the future and on you," the candidate said in a statement. video broadcast on X.
Throughout my career, I've always fought for the people of Puerto Rico. Every chance he got, Donald Trump abandoned and insulted them.
As president, I will invest in Puerto Rico's future so that Puerto Ricans can not just get by, but get ahead. pic.twitter.com/jkqOPWBhIy
? Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 27, 2024
"Puerto Rico is home to some of the most talented, innovative and ambitious people in our nation, and Puerto Ricans deserve a president who sees that strength and invests in it," Harris said.
Kamala recalled Donald Trump's lack of action after two hurricanes hit the island.
"I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he didn't do. When Puerto Rico most needed an empathetic and competent leader, he abandoned the island, tried to block aid after two devastating hurricanes in a row, and offered nothing but paper towels and insults. And now Donald Trump promises to be even more extreme, talking about using the military against his political enemies and being a dictator from day one. Puerto Ricans deserve better. As president, I will always fight for you and your families. Together, we can turn the page and chart a new and joyful path forward, a future in which everyone can get ahead rather than survive," she said.
Meanwhile, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) demanded a formal apology from the Trump campaign, as well as a retraction from the comedian. Organizations such as Voto Latino, UnidosUS, Mi Familia Vota, America's Voice and the Hispanic Federation also joined in the call.
Trump and his anti-immigrant rhetoric
At the same rally, Trump recalled that if he wins the election on Super Tuesday, on his first day he will sign actions to carry out mass deportations.
“On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history. I will rescue every city and town that has ever been invaded and conquered,” Trump said. “Once I take office, the immigration invasion of our country will end and the restoration of our country will begin.”
At the event, which was also attended by tycoon and businessman Elon Musk, Donald Trump did not change his anti-immigrant rhetoric, but rather boosted it, in addition to arguing that his political adversaries have allowed an "immigrant invasion," specifying that "the enemy is within."
Latin vote: the key to victory
According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 36.2 million Hispanics are eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020, representing 50 percent of the total growth in eligible voters during this period.
While each year, about 1.4 million Hispanics in the United States become eligible to vote, it is estimated that Latinos will represent 14.7 percent of all eligible voters on November 5, 2024, a new record.
According to a poll by the same organization conducted from August 26 to September 2, 2024, a majority of registered Latino voters (57 percent) say they would vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and 39 percent would vote for former President Donald Trump.
Supporters of both candidates already have a clear opinion. Among registered Latino voters, 79 percent of Harris supporters and 77 percent of Trump supporters say they are confident in voting for their candidate.
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