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AS the backlash against former US President Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally continues, his campaign is trying to distance itself from comments about Puerto Rico made at the rally.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who spoke before Trump took to the stage, labelled the US territory as a “floating island of garbage”.
The comments, alongside other racist and sexist remarks from other speakers, sparked backlash from Puerto Rican celebrities, politicians and others; among them were rapper Bad Bunny, singer Ricky Martin and actress Jennifer Lopez.
A senior adviser to the Trump campaign said in a statement the joke “does not reflect the views of Trump or the campaign”.
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz, on a live-stream with congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez whose parents are Puerto Rican, pointed out that Puerto Rican residents are citizens who pay taxes and serve in the military at almost a higher rate than anybody else.
While Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and its citizens cannot vote in the presidential election, there are large Puerto Rican populations in several key states, including Pennsylvania.
Puerto Ricans who live in the US are eligible to vote, and both campaigns made an effort to target the almost six-million strong community.
In Pennsylvania, the Puerto Rican community is large enough to tip the state in one direction, potentially affecting the election outcome.
BACKGROUND: How the Electoral College system works
ARSON ATTACK
Police are investigating after two apparent arson attacks on ballot drop boxes in two US states.
A ballot box in Portland, Oregon, was set alight at 3.30am on Monday (local time) after “an incendiary device” was put inside.
An hour later, a ballot box in Vancouver, Washington, also caught fire, destroying hundreds of ballots with a suspicious device found next to the box, police said.
In the Portland fire, the blaze triggered powdered fire suppressant canisters inside, protecting almost all ballots.
Election officials called on those who voted after a certain time to submit a replacement ballot which would be checked against the electoral role to prevent any double-ups.
A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said a “suspect vehicle” was identified via security footage and that the attacks could be linked. The FBI is reportedly investigating both incidents.
It follows another arson attack at a Phoenix, Arizona, postal collection box last week.
