Political experts everywhere are debating if the racist rhetoric about Puerto Rico during the MAGA rally in New York City could sink Trump’s election bid. Blowback has been swift this week, with Trump holding an alternative rally to clean things up and the largest Newspaper in Puerto Rico urging Puerto Ricans in the mainland to vote for Harris. Bad Bunny ramped things up by writing a love song about his native land and urging his 43 million followers to snub the former president.
But what are regular Puerto Ricans saying on social media? The Root scoured the internet, collecting comments from Puerto Ricans—and what we found will surprise you.
1) Puerto Ricans turn to Vice President Kamala Harris
Many social many users were not unlike one Latina user on TikTok, who questioned why did it take her people so long to see the light. In fact, @diva_dee25, thanked Tony Hinchcliffe and his racist remarks for pushing her people to go out and vote for Harris.
“This man has actively told you who he is,” she stated in the clip. “If they go after one group, they will come after you. You are not the exception...get outraged about everything.”
OPuerto Rican and Cuban rapper Fat Joe encouraged his community to vote while also condemning Trump about his previously actions . “The man threw towels at [Latinos] and blocked financial aid in Hurricane Maria...WAKE UP VOTE!!!!!!!!” the rapper wrote.
2) Some Puerto Ricansstill standing with Trump
Of course, there are still Puerto Ricans who still stand behind Trump. Melvin Soto-Vazquez shared a post on X in which the former president made flattering remarks about Puerto Rico including: “They are great great people” and “Its people are proud, and they are resilient.”
In a response to Vice President Harris’ post about building a better Puerto Rico, user @JMRios 51 reiterated his support for Trump. “Born in Puerto Rico, raised in Connecticut, military veteran and Trump supporter,” they wrote.
3) Bad Bunny doubling down on supporting Harris
One of Trump’s most famous critics is pop star Bad Bunny, who has since backed Vice President Kamala Harris for President since the Sunday rally and shared a video on Instagram celebrating Puerto Rico’s rich heritage.
This post follows Bad Bunny’s official endorsement of Harris shortly after Trump’s Sunday rally.
4) Some Puerto Ricans Expressed confusion about voting
Puerto Ricans cannot vote in presidential general elections despite being U.S. citizens. However, there are millions of Puerto Ricans residing in one of the 50 states who are eligible to vote. This led to confusion on X, prompting some Puerto Ricans to clear the air.
Stephanie Ochoa, who goes by @StefyOchoa on the app, wrote in her native language that “Puerto Ricans cannot vote in the November general election unless they live in one of the country’s states. The island is considered an unincorporated territory.”
Another user, @zzzkaylaaa, was upset by this fact and asked: “Why are Puerto Ricans basically second class citizens?”
5) Trump trying to clean things up at his rally last night to no avail
The former president did his best to redeem himself on Tuesday during a Pennsylvania rally by complimenting Puerto Ricans, The Guardian reported. He also recruited Puerto Rican official Zoraida Buxó and Senator Marco Rubio as speakers for the event, but that has done little to quell the outrage.
One X user, @goLoko77, showed that outside of the rally Puerto Rican flags were being waved in protest.