Singer Nicky Jam has retracted his public endorsement of Donald Trump just a month after appearing at a Las Vegas campaign rally for the former president. The reggaeton performer, of Puerto Rican descent, announced his withdrawal of support following an offensive joke made by a comedian about Puerto Rico during a Trump rally held at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Tony Hinchcliffe, the comedian in question, referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” during his performance, sparking widespread outrage and second thoughts among Latino supporters of Trump. Nicky Jam, who had shared the stage with Trump on September 13 in Las Vegas, took to Instagram to voice his disapproval of the derogatory remark and to renounce his political endorsement.
“The reason why I supported Donald Trump was because I thought he was the best for the economy in the United States, where many Latinos live, many of us Latinos live, myself included, many immigrants who are suffering because of the economy and him, being a businessman, I thought it was the best move,” he posted in Spanish, in a message translated by the Associated Press. “Never in my life did I think that a month later a comedian was going to come to criticize my country and speak badly of my country and therefore, I renounce any support for Donald Trump, and I sidestep any political situation. Respect Puerto Rico.”
Nicky Jam’s statement has resonated with other notable personalities within the Latino community. Bad Bunny, another prominent Puerto Rican performer whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez, publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after the incident. He expressed his solidarity on Instagram, emphasizing the strength and resilience of Puerto Ricans. “We have been fighting since day one of our existence, we are the definition of heart and resistance. Here we stand, here we are, and for those who forget who we are… don’t worry, we proudly remind you,” he wrote, as reported by the AP.
Actor Aubrey Plaza also reacted vehemently to the joke while speaking at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards, highlighting her familial connections to Puerto Rico. “I just wanted to very quickly respond to the racist joke that was made at that Trump rally about Puerto Rico, where most of my family is from,” Plaza said.
Ricky Martin, another high-profile Latino performer, added his voice to the chorus of criticism and has also endorsed Harris.
The controversy has further intensified the political divide, involving even President Joe Biden, who condemned Trump’s supporters in stark terms after the offensive joke. “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden was quoted by Fox News. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American.”
Trump, in response to Biden’s comments, made a dramatic entrance at a Wisconsin campaign rally by arriving in a garbage truck, a move that garnered widespread attention. Trump has remained steadfast in defending his supporters.
As the tight race for the presidency continues, both Vice President Harris and Trump are actively courting Latino voters, particularly in key battleground states like Nevada. Harris is slated to speak in Las Vegas on Thursday evening, accompanied by a performance from the Mexican pop band Maná and an address by Latino singer and actress Jennifer Lopez. Trump is also scheduled to appear at a campaign event in the Las Vegas area on the same day.
With Election Day approaching this Tuesday, many voters have already begun casting their ballots early.
