Performer Nicky Jam Withdraws Las Vegas Endorsement of Donald Trump After Recent Offensive Joke

Posted on: October 31, 2024, 03:16h. 

Last updated on: November 1, 2024, 09:06h.

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Singer Nicky Jam has pulled back last month’s public backing of Donald Trump that the performer made during a Las Vegas campaign rally for the former president.

The reggaeton performer, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, announced he was no longer supporting Trump after a comedian made an offensive joke about Puerto Rico during an appearance at a Trump rally held Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” during a performance at the widely-attended New York rally.

His attempted humor has led to a firestorm of controversy with second thoughts by some Latinos who had backed Trump.

“The reason why I supported Donald Trump was because I thought he was the best for the economy in the United States, where many Latinos live, many of us Latinos live, myself included, many immigrants who are suffering because of the economy and him, being a businessman, I thought it was the best move,” Nicky Jam posted recently in Spanish on Instagram, and translated by the Associated Press.

Never in my life did I think that a month later a comedian was going to come to criticize my country and speak badly of my country and therefore, I renounce any support for Donald Trump, and I sidestep any political situation. Respect Puerto Rico.”

Nicky Jam appeared on stage with Trump during the September 13 pro-Trump rally held in Las Vegas.

Other Performers Respond

Another Puerto Rican performer, Bad Bunny, whose formal name is Benito Antonio Martínez, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris following the controversial joke.

“We have been fighting since day one of our existence, we are the definition of heart and resistance,” he also posted on Instagram in Spanish.

“Here we stand, here we are, and for those who forget who we are… don’t worry, we proudly remind you,” the AP reported.

Actor Aubrey Plaza also angrily responded to the joke while speaking at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards on Tuesday.

I just wanted to very quickly respond to the racist joke that was made at that Trump rally about Puerto Rico, where most of my family is from,” Plaza said.

Another high-profile Latino performer, Ricky Martin, also criticized the joke. He has endorsed Harris.

Controversy Involves Biden, Trump

When President Joe Biden called Trump’s supporters “garbage” following the offensive joke, it led to another round of controversy.

The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” Biden was quoted by Fox News. “His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American.”

In response to Biden’s comments, Trump got widespread attention when he was driven to a Wisconsin campaign rally in a garbage truck and he has defended his supporters.

Harris, like Trump, is reaching out to Latino voters in Nevada and elsewhere for support in the tight race for president.

Harris will speak in Las Vegas between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday. Maná, a Mexican pop band, will perform at her rally, and Latino singer and actress Jennifer Lopez will speak.

Trump is also appearing in a Las Vegas area campaign event on Thursday.

Election Day is on Tuesday. Many voters are voting early.