At a packed Madison Square Garden rally Sunday, a controversial joke targeting Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe has ignited fierce backlash across Latino communities and from influential artists, including Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Ricky Martin. This divisive comment, made at an event for former President Donald Trump, has raised questions about Trump’s prospects for re-election as Latino voters, especially Puerto Ricans in battleground states, react to the incendiary rhetoric.

The night, intended to rally support for Trump’s 2024 campaign, took an unexpectedly toxic turn when Hinchcliffe made the disparaging joke. “There’s a lot going on, like, I don’t know if you know this but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” he said. “Yeah. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” Hinchcliffe’s words were met with mixed reactions in the arena but sparked outrage almost immediately outside the venue, with prominent Latino voices calling out the remark as deeply offensive and damaging.

Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny, whose music and activism have made him a leading voice for Puerto Rican rights and culture, was among the first to respond. He reposted a video of Vice President Kamala Harris on Instagram, in which she criticized Trump’s past treatment of Puerto Rico, with a pointed reminder to his 45 million followers of the impact of Trump’s policies on the island. While Bad Bunny’s representative clarified that this was not a formal endorsement of Harris, his support for her Puerto Rico agenda sent a strong message.

Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin followed suit, each condemning the joke. Lopez shared a video of Hinchcliffe’s set, writing, “Puerto Rico is my home, not your punchline.” Martin’s post echoed her sentiment, adding, “Our culture and heritage deserve respect, not ridicule.” Marc Anthony also joined in, addressing his millions of followers and asking, “When will this end?” Their responses amplified the outrage across social media, quickly becoming a trending topic and drawing attention from major news outlets.

In the wake of the backlash, Trump’s campaign team quickly distanced themselves from Hinchcliffe’s comments, releasing a statement on Sunday night. “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” campaign spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said. However, campaign insiders revealed that the speeches, while supposedly vetted, included unscripted ad-libs, making it unclear how such offensive remarks made it to the stage.

Political analysts warn that the fallout could hurt Trump’s chances with Latino voters, especially in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Florida, where Puerto Rican communities wield significant voting power. “This type of rhetoric alienates an already skeptical Latino electorate,” said political strategist Ana Morales. “And when artists like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez speak out, it resonates deeply with their audiences. This could be a game-changer for Puerto Rican voters who remember Trump’s controversial handling of Hurricane Maria’s aftermath and who may now feel even more strongly opposed to him.”

Trump’s campaign has made overtures toward Latino voters, seeking to win over young, male Latino voters — a demographic that, according to polling, has shown some affinity for Trump’s economic messaging. However, the remarks at Madison Square Garden stand in stark contrast to that outreach, fueling narratives that Trump’s campaign disregards Puerto Rican issues and Latino voters’ concerns. Critics point to Trump’s publicized 2017 visit to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, when he tossed paper towels to hurricane survivors, as evidence of a pattern of insensitive behavior.

On Monday, the Harris campaign leveraged the incident, positioning Harris as the candidate who respects Puerto Rican and Latino voters. Harris, currently campaigning in Philadelphia, reiterated her commitment to Puerto Rico, vowing to focus on the island’s economic development and improve its electrical infrastructure. Puerto Rican restaurant owners and voters welcomed her with open arms, with one attendee commenting, “It’s comforting to know someone is listening to us.”

For the Trump campaign, the backlash is a reminder of the delicate balancing act required to maintain appeal across diverse voter groups without isolating key constituencies. As outrage continues to grow, some Republicans have voiced their dismay, including New York Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who cautioned on social media that the rhetoric at the rally was “garbage” and that Trump’s campaign must “stay on message” to have any chance in 2024.

The stakes are high as Trump’s campaign navigates the fallout. While Trump’s brand often embraces controversial and inflammatory language, this particular incident — amplified by beloved Latino artists — risks alienating voters in a way that could tilt battleground states away from Trump and toward his opponents. The next few weeks will be crucial, as both campaigns recalibrate to win the support of Latino voters who may be deciding which candidate truly represents them.