**Outrage in Puerto Rico After Comedian's Insult at Trump Rally**

In the wake of inflammatory remarks made by a comedian at a Donald Trump rally in New York, Puerto Ricans are expressing outrage and indignation over what they see as yet another affront to their dignity. Tony Hinchcliffe's jibe, likening Puerto Rico to a "floating island of garbage," has ignited a fierce backlash across the island territory, which has long grappled with feelings of neglect and mistreatment.

Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in presidential elections, a reality that compounds their frustrations. However, they do wield significant influence through their mainland relatives. The derogatory comments not only caused phones to buzz furiously across the island of 3.2 million residents shortly after Hinchcliffe's set on Sunday night, but they also stirred political rifts that could impact the upcoming presidential election.

Vice President Kamala Harris, representing the Democratic Party, is in a competitive race with Trump to garner support from Puerto Rican communities in key swing states like Pennsylvania. In a notable political ripple, Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny swiftly announced his endorsement of Harris following the incident. Hinchcliffe's set had included not just the disparaging comment about Puerto Rico but also offensive remarks about Latinos, Jews, and Black people—groups crucial to the electoral landscape.

The roots of Puerto Rico's complicated relationship with the United States date back to 1917 when it became a U.S. territory. Migration waves post-World War II further entwined the lives of Puerto Ricans with the mainland. However, those who remained on the island have often felt like second-class citizens, citing restricted voting rights and limited federal support compared to U.S. states. These grievances were starkly highlighted in 2017 when Trump visited Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria, an event marked by what many saw as his dismissive treatment of the disaster's aftermath.

Puerto Rican resident José Acevedo encapsulated the island's sentiment as he recounted the dismay he felt watching the rally on Sunday night. "What humiliation, what discrimination!" he lamented, noting that his family in New York, including a Trump-supporting uncle, was equally shocked and reconsidering their political stance.

The incident quickly dominated local news and provoked strong reactions from political figures. Jenniffer González, Puerto Rico's congressional representative from the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, called the comments "despicable, misguided, and disgusting," stressing that they did not reflect the values of the Republican Party.

In Puerto Rico, where political affiliations often transcend traditional U.S. party lines and are deeply linked to the debate over the island's status, this latest episode adds another layer to an already complex and fraught relationship with the mainland.