Former President Donald Trump made an attempt to appeal to Puerto Rican voters during a rally in Pennsylvania following controversial remarks made by a comedian at a previous Trump rally. At the rally, Trump emphasized his support for the Latino and Puerto Rican communities, stating that he has done more for Puerto Rico than any other president. He also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that she would bring poverty and crime to Puerto Ricans and Hispanic Americans.
During the rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Trump was joined on stage by Puerto Rico Shadow Sen. Zoraida Buxo. Allentown, a city with a significant Hispanic population, including a large number of Puerto Rican residents, served as the backdrop for Trump's outreach to these communities.
The controversy arose from a comedian's derogatory comments about Puerto Rico at a previous Trump rally. The comedian referred to Puerto Rico as 'a floating island of garbage,' prompting backlash from various quarters, including Kamala Harris' campaign and Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who expressed support for the vice president.
Trump distanced himself from the comedian's remarks, stating that he did not know the individual and that someone else had arranged for the comedian to speak at the event. Despite the controversy, Trump reiterated his love for Puerto Rico and claimed that his administration had done more for the territory than any other president.
The rally in Pennsylvania highlighted the importance of the Latino and Puerto Rican vote in the upcoming elections, with both Trump and Harris vying for support from these communities. As the campaign season progresses, the outreach to these voter groups is expected to intensify, with both candidates seeking to secure their backing.