Puerto Ricans are angry According to the statements one conservative comedian about island nation They won’t be able to voice their displeasure at the ballot box during a rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. But that could still impact the presidential race, as both candidates compete to help Latino voters get to the White House.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who uses the stage name Kill Tony, appeared on stage in front of Trump. Campaign rally in presidential candidate’s hometownHe derided Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

The remarks, which drew condemnation from both sides of the political aisle, sent the Trump campaign into damage control as his campaign attempted to distance Trump from the comments.

Here’s what you need to know about Puerto Rico’s role In the November 5 elections.

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Will Puerto Rico vote in the 2024 presidential race?

More than two-thirds of Puerto Ricans live in the United States; approximately 5.8 million. According to Pew Research Center. Puerto Rican voters living in the U.S. make up the second-largest Latino group in the country, including in key battleground states like Pennsylvania.

However, while another 3.3 million Puerto Ricans live on the island, which is US territory, They will not be able to vote for the president.

However, Puerto Rico residents can help choose each party’s presidential candidate during the primary election process.

Trump has seen support grow among Latino men and has received support from Puerto Rican artists such as Anuel AA and Nicky Jam. Wins Puerto Rico’s 2024 GOP primaryHe won 23 of the district’s Republican delegates.

During Trump’s presidency, Puerto Rico was devastated by two back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 that killed more than 3,000 people and displaced thousands. At the time, Trump was criticized for his response to the storms, as he downplayed the damage caused by the storms and an image of him throwing rolls of paper towels at island residents went viral.

Puerto Rico will face a gubernatorial election this November with the New Progressive Party leading.

Trump campaign under fire after Hinchcliffe remarks

Hinchcliffe spoke at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden just hours before the former president in his opening remarks.

His statements drew widespread criticism from Democrats, Republican friends and notable celebrities, even amid the Trump campaign’s efforts to distance itself from the comedian.

Trump senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said in a statement Sunday night that “this joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

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Puerto Rican celebrities Including Grammy award-winning artists Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin condemned Hinchcliffe’s comments. Bad Bunny took to his Instagramto share a video in which Harris, who has 45.6 million followers, criticized Trump’s actions against Puerto Rico while he was president and outlined her own agenda for the island.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez broadcast the rally liveHe also criticized Hinchcliffe and urged Puerto Ricans living in Pennsylvania to follow these statements for themselves.

Credit: Josh Meyer, Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Will Puerto Rico vote in the 2024 presidential race? What you need to know