Listeners bombarded Victor Martinez’s radio shows with comments. Yesenia Westerband’s food truck patrons were heated. Guillermo Lopez’s Facebook was flooded with reactions.

One caller on Martinez’s show expressed, “As a Puerto Rican, there’s no way to make amends for that!”

As Donald Trump arrived in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday for a rally, remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at the ex-president’s event at Madison Square Garden on Sunday—where he labeled Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage”—were igniting emotions within the local Puerto Rican community.

Martinez, Westerband, and Lopez, all of Puerto Rican descent, noted Hinchcliffe’s comments had become hot topics in the predominantly Hispanic town, inciting anger and possibly altering voting sentiments.

“What happened at Madison Square Garden is everywhere,” remarked Westerband, who moved to the Lehigh Valley from Puerto Rico when she was six, and after spending time back on the island, returned to Pennsylvania.

To many Puerto Ricans, Hinchcliffe’s “garbage” comments felt like a shocking revelation right before a crucial election, with their votes in play, said Martinez, who operates five radio stations based in Allentown.

Pennsylvania is a critical swing state, currently with the fourth largest Puerto Rican population in the U.S. There are nearly 500,000 Puerto Ricans in the state, which holds 19 Electoral College votes. President Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by a slim margin of 80,555 votes in 2020.

“Boricuas a votar Pennsylvania Wisconsin,” a listener remarked on the radio show’s YouTube channel. “Boricuas, let’s make our voices heard in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, standing strong against that old convict who thinks he’s a deity.”

New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, a Puerto Rico native representing the Bronx, believes Hinchcliffe’s words will adversely impact Trump’s campaign.

He highlighted how the comments rapidly circulated within the Puerto Rican community stretching from New York to Florida and Pennsylvania, sharing how he has received numerous messages from Boricuas nationwide.

“This could be a pivotal moment,” he noted. “It’s definitely energizing a lot of people. I hope this enthusiasm carries us through these final days.”

Trump Campaign Attempts to Maintain Composure Amid Growing Fallout

The Trump campaign has distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s remarks, asserting that they do not represent the former president’s beliefs.

Trump told ABC News he was unfamiliar with the comedian and hadn’t heard his comments, reiterating that he hadn’t seen the joke about Puerto Rico when asked about it.

During a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach on Tuesday, Trump did not address the issue, labeling the Madison Square Garden rally—a venue where speakers made various controversial comments— as a “lovefest.”

“No president has done more for Puerto Rico than I have,” Trump stated later at a forum in Pennsylvania, though without directly referring to Hinchcliffe’s comments.

During a rally in Allentown on Tuesday, the former president was joined on stage by Shadow U.S. Senator Zoraida Buxó from Puerto Rico. Buxó, part of Puerto Rico’s shadow delegation advocating for statehood, expressed that “the people of Puerto Rico trust you,” and emphasized the need for his return to the White House.

Trump declared, “Nobody loves our Latino community and our Puerto Rican community more than I do,” asserting that he has accomplished more for Puerto Rico than any other president. He referenced the two hurricanes that devastated the island in 2017 during his presidency and noted his decision to send a hospital ship to assist Puerto Rico.

However, Trump’s handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Maria faced significant criticism. An inspector general’s report identified that disputes within the Republican administration delayed the release of congressionally approved aid. Moreover, the mayor of Puerto Rico’s capital and others criticized Trump for tossing paper towels into a crowd during his visit.

A Republican consultant closely linked to the campaign stated that Trump’s team is trying to maintain composure in the wake of backlash from the Madison Square Garden rally. They have advised supporters to emphasize a statement from Trump adviser Danielle Alvarez, which mentioned, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

The consultant added, “I think they wish it had never happened… it just takes up air time,” mentioning that “in no world was this helpful.” Nevertheless, they questioned the overall impact, suggesting that many voters have likely already made up their minds.

Another GOP consultant with connections to Trump’s campaign dismissed concerns, claiming that “it was just one event and one news cycle.” However, they acknowledged that in a tight race where a small number of votes could be decisive, such incidents could pose unnecessary challenges that might harm their chances at the polls when they least need it.

Swing Voters React to ‘Island of Garbage’ Remarks

Westerband, who is proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, felt hurt by the derogatory reference to her homeland as “garbage.”

As Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, its residents are U.S. citizens. However, Westerband notes that often, it feels like the island is treated as an “extra piece that’s not part” of the country.

Although she generally doesn’t engage heavily in politics, Westerband votes based on her feelings at the time. A Democrat who supported Biden in 2020, she has also backed Republican candidates in the past.

“I’m not swinging either way yet; I won’t say how I’m voting at this point,” she shared, noting that the “garbage” comments are very much on her mind and resonate with many of her customers who frequent her food trucks featuring traditional Puerto Rican cuisine.

Republican strategist Mike Madrid pointed out that there are approximately 33,500 Puerto Rican voters in Allentown, stating, “The racial slurs made at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally could jeopardize his campaign.” Madrid, who authored “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy,” emphasized that even slight shifts in Pennsylvania could seal his fate and potentially shift Latino voting patterns.

Martinez, a radio station owner, hosts a morning political segment that typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes but exceeded an hour on Monday due to the surge in comments regarding Hinchcliffe’s remarks.

A Democrat who supports Kamala Harris and appeared in one of her campaign ads, Martinez has made his choice. However, many listeners reacting to the “garbage” comments are those who previously stayed out of politics and are now compelled to take action.

Martinez noted, “We’ve received numerous comments and calls from people who were previously disengaged. They didn’t care about politics, but now they feel disrespected, and they’re motivated to vote.”

His radio stations, which serve Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York, reach around 250,000 Latinos, most of whom are of Puerto Rican descent.

Guillermo Lopez, who was born in Bethlehem after his father moved from Puerto Rico for a job with Bethlehem Steel, worked in the mill himself for 27 years.

As a former union leader, he has been active in Democratic politics for many years and is a prominent figure in the Hispanic community as the vice chair of The Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.

Lopez has opposed Trump since his initial campaign announcement in 2015. He stated, “As a Latino and Puerto Rican, the entire experience has been appalling.”

“He began with subtle hints… but now they’re using a loudspeaker.”

Lopez is an outspoken activist. However, following Hinchcliffe’s remarks, even those in his circle who have typically avoided political discussions are starting to voice their opinions. He mentioned three friends on Facebook who previously stated they wouldn’t vote, but have now changed their minds.

“Since this incident occurred, it feels like someone sent out a signal, and people are emerging from all around,” he remarked.