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Nicky Jam walks back Trump endorsement over Puerto Rico ‘garbage’ comment

Published

2 weeks ago

October 31, 2024

Nicky Jam walks back Trump endorsement over Puerto Rico 'garbage' comment

Nicky Jam, a Puerto Rican Dominican singer who endorsed former President Donald Trump in September, has backtracked after comic Tony Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of rubbish” at Trump’s Madison Sq. Backyard rally Sunday.

“By no means in my life did I believe that only one month later a comic would present up and criticize my nation, and converse poorly of my nation. And for that, I revoke any help for Donald Trump and I’m stepping other than any sort of political scenario. Puerto Rico is to be revered,” Nicky Jam, whose actual identify is Nick Rivera Caminero, stated in a video posted to social media Wednesday.

At a rally final month at which the singer endorsed him, Trump unintentionally misgendered him, saying, “Latin music famous person Nicky Jam, have you learnt Nicky? She’s scorching. The place’s Nicky?”

In his put up Wednesday, Nicky Jam emphasised that he initially supported Trump as a result of he thought he can be sturdy on financial points that may be useful to the Latino inhabitants.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responded by praising Nicky Jam’s choice.

“Thanks for having the braveness to indicate by instance that it’s okay to vary your thoughts and get up for our group,” she wrote on social media.

Nicky Jam with Donald Trump throughout a marketing campaign occasion on Sept.13, 2024, in Las Vegas.John Locher / AP file

Different high-profile Puerto Rican artists have strongly denounced the feedback and in flip supported Vice President Kamala Harris’ marketing campaign.

Unhealthy Bunny, maybe the island’s best-known cultural consultant, posted a video to social media captioned with the phrase “rubbish” that highlighted the wonder and historical past of his house island. Jennifer Lopez additionally shared that she can be becoming a member of a marketing campaign rally with Harris in Las Vegas this week.

Anuel AA, one other Puerto Rican artist who backed Trump at a separate rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has not made any remark but on the comic’s remarks.