“Racist Rants” Emerge at New York Campaign Rally
Even Republican Hispanic Lawmakers Join in Criticism
Google Search Volume Soars… “A Lifeline for Harris”,
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made the ‘garbage island’ remark, speaks at a Trump rally on the 27th. New York/Reuters Yonhap News,
, ‘At a grand rally held in New York in the final stage of his election campaign, former U.S. President Donald Trump faced backlash as it turned into a spectacle of racism. While Trump’s racist attitudes are not new, related search volumes have surged on Google, suggesting potential impacts on the election dynamics.’,
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, ‘Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the comments Trump made at the Madison Square Garden rally in New York, saying on the 28th (local time) that he “fanned the flames of hatred.” President Joe Biden also commented on the rally, saying it was “just embarrassing.” The Harris campaign, which seemed to be on the defensive, used the rally as material for counterattack, drawing concentrated coverage from the U.S. media.’,
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, ‘The rally was filled with racist and xenophobic comments, amounting to a “showcase of anti-immigration racism.” The biggest issue arose from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who referred to Puerto Rico, a U.S. Caribbean territory, as a “floating garbage island” and mocked Hispanics with remarks like “they love making babies.” He also made derogatory comments about Black people.’,
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, ‘The “garbage island” comment particularly enraged the Puerto Rican community. Eddie Morián, the Puerto Rican mayor of Reading, one of Pennsylvania’s four major cities and a key battleground state, held a press conference to condemn the remark, saying, “Such comments show how dismissive Trump is of Hispanics and Puerto Ricans.” Even Republican Hispanic lawmakers joined the chorus of criticism.’,
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump is campaigning at Madison Square Garden in New York on the 27th. New York/UPI Yonhap News,
, ‘This rally in New York, a Democratic stronghold but Trump’s hometown, was meant to be the “closing argument” of his campaign, a chance to summarize the candidate’s core message.’,
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, ‘The rally featured more racially charged and extreme statements from other speakers as well. Trump claimed he would implement large-scale deportations on his first day to reverse an “immigrant invasion,” calling the U.S. an “occupied nation.”‘,
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, ‘Facing the backlash from the “garbage island” comment, the Trump campaign clarified that “the joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” However, there was no explanation or apology for the other remarks.’,
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, ‘This controversy arises at a critical time when Trump is reportedly gaining significant support among young men within traditionally Democratic-supporting Hispanic and Black communities. Although Puerto Rico doesn’t have voting rights in U.S. presidential or congressional elections, Puerto Ricans living on the mainland could be influenced. Over 450,000 Puerto Ricans reside in Pennsylvania, with many more in other swing states like North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Harris campaign quickly created online ads featuring the “garbage island” remark to air in these swing states.’,
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, ‘In the wake of the rally, Google searches for “Trump” and “Hinchcliffe” surged. Polling analyst Nate Silver noted, “Trump had the second-highest search volume since his second assassination attempt last September, and Hinchcliffe surpassed Taylor Swift,” indicating a viral trend. He concluded, “The fact that Trump’s most offensive moments are filling this last week is a lifeline for Harris.”‘,
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