In a surprising turn of events, a growing wave of Puerto Ricans are voicing their support for Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign following a series of racist comments made at a Donald Trump rally in New York. The endorsement from popular artist Bad Bunny, coupled with the outrage expressed by prominent figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has ignited a surge of enthusiasm among Puerto Rican voters and Latinos across the country.

Rallying Cry for Puerto Rican Voters

Endorsement from Bad Bunny

On Sunday, the renowned Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, known for his unwavering pride in his heritage and his advocacy for progressive causes, officially endorsed Kamala Harris' presidential campaign. The artist, whose legal name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, shared Harris' campaign video targeting Puerto Rican audiences on his Instagram stories, reaching his 45 million followers. This endorsement came shortly after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made disparaging remarks about Puerto Rico at Trump's rally, calling the U.S. territory a "floating island of garbage" and making other racist claims.

Celebrities Amplify the Message

Following Bad Bunny's lead, other prominent Puerto Rican celebrities have also voiced their support for Kamala Harris. Singers Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, both well-known for their pride in their Puerto Rican heritage, reposted the same video from the Harris campaign, encouraging their millions of followers to vote for the current vice president. The View's Sunny Hostin, who is also Puerto Rican, addressed Trump's comments during her opening monologue, defending the island she loves and its people.

Rallying the Puerto Rican Community

Kamala Harris' campaign has been actively engaging with the Puerto Rican community, particularly in Philadelphia, which has the second-highest Puerto Rican population among cities in the continental U.S. During her recent visit to the city, Harris stopped at Freddy & Tony's, a popular Puerto Rican restaurant in the Fairhill neighborhood, where supporters chanted "¡Sí se puede!" as she outlined her plans for Puerto Rico's economic success.

Addressing Trump's Rhetoric

In response to Hinchcliffe's remarks, Harris pointed to her own commitment to helping improve the island's electrical grid and increase economic opportunities for its residents, which she had announced during her campaign stop in Philadelphia. She also called out Trump's own language on immigration, where the former president has referred to the U.S. as a "garbage can" and compared undocumented immigrants and migrants to trash.

Condemning the Trump Campaign's Backtrack

The Trump campaign's attempt to distance itself from Hinchcliffe's comments has been met with skepticism. Harris described the rally as "more of the same, and maybe more vivid than usual," highlighting Trump's fixation on his grievances and his efforts to divide the country. She emphasized that if elected, she would work on behalf of the American people, in contrast to Trump's focus on his "enemies list."