Latin music sensation Bad Bunny has publicly supported Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, sharing her video message addressing Puerto Rico on his social media. Bad Bunny’s endorsement came just after a comedian at a Donald Trump rally in Madison Square Garden made offensive remarks, calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” The comments sparked backlash from the Latino community and some Republican leaders. With 45 million Instagram followers, Bad Bunny’s support could bolster Harris’ efforts to connect with Latino voters, a demographic Trump has been courting.
Video Message to Puerto Rican Voters
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, shared a video featuring Harris’ message to Puerto Rican voters, stating, “there’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.” The artist’s representative confirmed his support for Harris, adding weight to her appeal among Hispanic voters.
The comedian’s remarks also drew condemnation from other prominent figures, including Angel Cintron, the GOP leader in Puerto Rico, and Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Miami. Salazar tweeted, “@TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage’ is disgraceful. Puerto Ricans have shown immense bravery; 48,000 soldiers served in Vietnam, earning over 345 Purple Hearts. This rhetoric doesn’t reflect GOP values.”
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, another Harris supporter, expressed his disapproval, stating on Instagram, “That’s what they think of us.” The incident fueled further discussions on social media about respect for Puerto Rico and Latino representation.
Puerto Rican Artists Rally Support for Harris
Bad Bunny also shared additional segments of Harris’ video, highlighting her statement, “I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader.” With Puerto Rican voters forming a substantial demographic in key states like Pennsylvania, Harris has also gained support from Puerto Rican icons Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, while Trump has drawn endorsements from Puerto Rican artists like Anuel AA and Nicky Jam.
Known for songs like “Dakiti” and “Titi Me Preguntó,” Bad Bunny, a three-time Grammy Award winner, has long been an outspoken advocate for Puerto Rico. In 2022, his music video “El Apagon” criticized the island’s electricity provider Luma Energy over frequent outages. His recent release, “Una Velita,” also reflects his frustration with the government’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Bad Bunny’s endorsement underscores growing concerns within the Latino community about political respect and representation, especially as the 2024 election approaches.
