Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Nicky Jam has withdrawn his endorsement of Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, citing a comedian’s disparaging remarks about the singer’s country, Puerto Rico. Jam, who appeared at a Trump rally in Las Vegas last month, initially supported Trump due to his business acumen and perceived economic benefits for Latinos. However, Tony Hinchcliffe’s recent comments labeling Puerto Rico as “garbage” sparked widespread outrage among fellow Puerto Rican celebrities and fans.
In a video statement, Jam renounced his support for Trump, stating that he never thought his country would be disrespected in such a manner. Jam emphasized the importance of respecting Puerto Rico, his homeland, and sidestepped any further involvement in political matters.
Donald Trump (Image via Getty)
The incident has caused a stir in the entertainment industry, with numerous high-profile Puerto Rican celebrities taking to social media to express their anger and disappointment. Grammy-winning singer Bad Bunny, for instance, has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that Puerto Rico has been “fighting since day one of our existence” and is proud of its heritage.
Actor Aubrey Plaza recalled her grandmother’s response to Hinchcliffe’s comment, stating that if she were alive, she would have responded with profanity. Ricky Martin, another prominent Puerto Rican star, also condemned Hinchcliffe’s remark, saying that it reflected the way some people “think of us.”
In the music world, the Mexican pop-rock band Mana has removed its 2016 song with Nicky Jam from online platforms, citing its disapproval of racists. Mana will be performing alongside Kamala Harris at a rally in Las Vegas on Thursday.
