In a shrewd move, the Kamala Harris campaign is capitalizing on a controversial joke made by comedian Tony Hinchliffe at former President Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden. Hinchliffe’s disparaging remark, referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” has ignited widespread outrage within the Latino community. This incident has now been turned into a potent 30-second television advertisement by the Harris campaign.
The ad cleverly juxtaposes a clip of Hinchliffe’s offensive comment with a shot of Trump saying, “Puerto Rico.” Harris then delivers a powerful message, stating, “I will never forget what Donald Trump did.” She poignantly recalls Trump’s controversial response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, accusing him of abandoning the island and offering only “paper towels and insults.” Harris emphasizes, “Puerto Ricans deserve better.”
The campaign’s strategy is clear – target Puerto Rican voters, a substantial demographic in key battleground states like Pennsylvania. The ad aims to resonate with this community, highlighting Harris’s unwavering commitment to supporting Puerto Rican families. It strategically positions her as a stark contrast to Trump, emphasizing her willingness to fight for their interests.
Hinchliffe’s comments have faced widespread condemnation, drawing criticism from numerous Latino celebrities and political leaders across party lines. In response to the backlash, the Trump campaign has attempted to distance itself from the comedian. Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez stated, “This joke does not represent the views of President Trump or the campaign.” However, Trump has not explicitly disavowed Hinchliffe’s remarks made during the rally. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the incident while speaking with Fox News, claiming, “It was a comedian who made a joke in poor taste. Obviously that joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or our campaign.”
As the 2024 election draws near, the Harris campaign is focused on rallying support among Latino voters. They are cleverly using this controversy to galvanize turnout and expose what they perceive as shortcomings in Trump’s leadership. By drawing attention to this incident, the Harris campaign aims to mobilize Latino voters and drive them to the polls in the upcoming election.
