**Controversial Remarks at Trump Rally Upset Puerto Rican Voters**

In a recent Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe caused a stir with offensive remarks about Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, Puerto Rican residents on the island, who were the target of these comments, find themselves powerless to directly influence the presidential election due to their inability to vote.

However, the story doesn't end there. Puerto Ricans living in the mainland United States, totaling nearly 6 million as of 2021, hold significant voting power. According to the Pew Research Center, they represent the second-largest Hispanic voting group. One key battleground state, Pennsylvania, boasts a substantial Puerto Rican population whose votes could prove pivotal.

The Trump campaign is now scrambling to distance itself from Hinchcliffe’s inflammatory comments, which included calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage." The comedian, who also made derogatory remarks about other minorities, was not endorsed by the campaign. “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” stated senior adviser Danielle Alvarez.

Hinchcliffe's remarks have refocused attention on the longstanding issues surrounding Puerto Rico's status. The island has been a U.S. territory since 1898 but its residents, although U.S. citizens, cannot vote in presidential elections. Nevertheless, they do participate in the Republican and Democratic primaries. The 3.4 million Puerto Rican residents highlighted by the 2020 Census remain confined to non-voting in the general election, sparking ongoing debates about the island's future.

As Congress remains hesitant about granting Puerto Rico statehood due to potential economic impacts and power balance concerns, Puerto Rican voters on the mainland could still make their voices heard. Notably, the island held a nonbinding referendum in 2020, where a majority supported statehood, reflecting a persistent demand for change.

Like Puerto Rico, residents of other U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also face similar voting restrictions. While those born in most territories are U.S. citizens, they too can only vote in federal elections if they reside within one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C. The exception is American Samoa, where residents, as U.S. nationals, remain ineligible to vote even if they move to the mainland.