Donald Trump recently downplayed the controversy surrounding his New York City rally, dubbing the event an "absolute lovefest." This remark comes in response to bipartisan calls for him to issue a personal apology following offensive comments made by a comedian during the rally at Madison Square Garden.
The comedian, Tony Hinchliffe, described Puerto Rico as "an island of garbage," which sparked significant backlash from the Puerto Rican community and some of Trump's own allies. In an interview, Trump distanced himself from Hinchliffe, emphasizing that he did not know who he was and suggesting that the comic was brought on stage without his endorsement.
Opinion polling reflects a close race between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice-President Kamala Harris, as they prepare for the upcoming election on November 5. Both candidates are making concentrated efforts to appeal to Latino voters, particularly in Pennsylvania, which has a significant Puerto Rican population.
Trump's rally drew attention not only for its energy but also for the fallout from the controversial joke. Key figures, including Angel Cintron, president of Puerto Rico's Republican Party, criticized the comment as disgraceful. Meanwhile, Trump's campaign engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange with Democrats, citing a joke made by actor George Lopez at a Harris rally.
On Tuesday, Trump will hold a campaign event in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a town with a sizeable Latino demographic. While addressing a Puerto Rican voter, Trump claimed that no president had done more for Puerto Rico than he had, referencing the recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
As he attempts to shift focus away from the backlash, Trump criticized Harris on numerous issues, asserting that she has failed to address key concerns such as the border crisis and inflation. He promised to swiftly remedy these issues if reelected.
