The Floating Island of Garbage
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
This inflammatory comment from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden ignited widespread outrage in the Puerto Rican community just days before the U.S. 2024 election. As a Puerto Rican who was on the island when this remark was made, I witnessed my community’s outrage firsthand. For many, it was not only offensive but underscored a longstanding pattern of neglect and mockery directed at Puerto Rico by U.S. politicians.
For Puerto Ricans on the island and across the diaspora, the remark feels like yet another painful insult from a campaign with a history of disregarding the island’s needs, especially by the Trump administration.
For those on the island, the comment cuts even deeper. “Trump has said many racist things in the past, and for a reason I can’t comprehend, people still follow and choose to vote for him,” said one Puerto Rican who wished to remain anonymous. “But, I think this comment has sparked such anger and has actually made those who were either voting for Trump or undecided change their minds. Especially those from la diaspora that have the right to vote.”
Although Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898 and its residents have held American citizenship since 1917, those living on the island cannot vote in presidential elections. However, with so many Puerto Ricans residing on the U.S. mainland and with the right to vote, Puerto Ricans represent a sizable and influential bloc in swing states.
The Latino community’s votes have long been pivotal representing a key voting demographic, especially in swing states such as Pennsylvania. This incident may turn Latino voters into a decisive force in this election. With polls showing a tight race, it begs the question: are people changing their minds and could these comments have an impact on the election results?
The timing of Hinchcliffe’s comment is particularly crucial, as both Republicans and Democrats have been courting Latino voters aggressively in the final days of the campaign. With Kamala Harris positioning herself as a candidate that cares about Puerto Rico, Trump’s campaign is at high risk just days away from the elections.
Harris, who has made Puerto Rican policy a priority in her outreach and had unveiled her new policies regarding the island in the swing state of Pennsylvania, quickly condemned the comment and released a targeted ad evoking Trump’s mishandling of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. The ad recalled Trump’s infamous paper towel toss during his 2017 visit to the island, an incident many Puerto Ricans still view as emblematic of the neglect of past administrations.
“I will never forget what Donald Trump did, and what he did not do, when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader," said Harris in the digital ad. "He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back to back devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults.”
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.
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has attempted to downplay the comedian’s remarks. A Trump campaign spokesperson said that “this joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign." But the incident has caused ripples, drawing many Puerto Ricans who might have sat out the election back into the conversation. While it’s true that many give Trump a pass, the outrage is very much present in Latino communities and have definitely made those who thought about voting for Trump think twice about their choices.
With our own elections coming up on November 5th, many have started to reflect on their own voting choices in the island’s elections. The “floating island of garbage” comment was all over the local news, prompting Jennifer González, pro-Trump gubernatorial candidate for Puerto Rico, to speak out against it.
“What was said is not funny; just as it was rejected by the audience present, it deserves the strong disapproval of everyone!” said González in a post on X.
Las expresiones del comediante @TonyHinchcliffe son despreciables, desacertadas y asqueantes. ¡Lo que ha dicho no es cómico, de la misma manera que fueron rechazadas por el público asistente, se merece el enérgico repudio de todos!
No se le pueden dar espacios a expresiones tan…— Jenniffer González (@Jenniffer) October 27, 2024
Many Puerto Ricans on social media shared images of the island’s natural beauty posting pictures of turquoise water beaches, the colorful streets of Old San Juan and our delicious dishes in response, captioning them, “I love my island of garbage,” as a message of pride. Many other artists and celebrities such as Bad Bunny, Aubrey Plaza, Jennifer López, and many others have also taken to social media to condemn the remarks and show support for Harris.
Just before the election, there is mounting evidence that Latino voters, particularly Puerto Ricans, could play a decisive role in this election. The “floating island of garbage” comment, while dismissed by some as a comedian’s joke, has reawakened old grievances and has transformed this frustration into a renewed commitment and desire to vote.
Puerto Rico has had to withstand many insults such as this in the past and Puerto Ricans have not forgotten. The memory of Trump throwing paper towels at them while thousands died during the hurricane is still very much alive. Now, with the power of the vote by those in mainland U.S, Puerto Ricans are ready to influence the vote and direction of the country that has overlooked them time and time again.
On November 5, both in the U.S. elections as well as on the island, this sense of urgency and national pride will undoubtedly play a role. For the Puerto Rican community, it could be a historic opportunity to make their voices count.
