ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh Valley elected officials are expressing outrage ahead of President Donald Trump's rally at the PPL Center Tuesday after speakers at this Sunday rally in New York City unleashed racist and sexist rhetoric.
The Trump campaign has disavowed comments by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who during opening remarks at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden said Latinos "love making babies" and called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."
Hinchfliffe, known for the comedy podcast "Kill Tony," said he welcomed immigrants of all backgrounds with open arms while waving his arms in a manner signaling to stop and go back.
Hinchcliffe's remarks have drawn condemnations across the political aisle, but they may prove particularly out-of-touch ahead of Trump's rally in the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Allentown is a minority-majority city, and more than 33,500 of its residents identified as Puerto Rican in the 2020 Census.
Pennsylvania, perhaps the most coveted battleground state this election cycle, has the fourth-largest Puerto Rican population by state.
Some of the Lehigh Valley's highest-profile elected officials — all of them Democrats — were quick to push back against the comments and encouraged their followers on social media to make their voices heard at the polls.
Entendido. Estamos listos a votar ahora.
— Mayor Matt Tuerk (@matthewtuerk) October 27, 2024
El 29 de octubre es la fecha límite para pedir una boleta por correo (obténgala el mismo día en la oficina de elecciones del condado)
Entrega las boletas por correo hasta el 5 de noviembre
Vote en su lugar de votación el 5 de noviembre https://t.co/4teGjctDkD
The Greater Lehigh Valley is made better by our Puerto Rican community. My statement ⬇️ https://t.co/c2SZUfRsGh pic.twitter.com/muGCVnnNoi
— Susan Wild (@wildforcongress) October 27, 2024
We are proud of the 400,000 Puerto Ricans who call Pennsylvania home. Last night’s comments are a vile insult to the more than a hundred thousand Puerto Ricans who have served our country and the more than 1,200 who have died in war fighting for freedom. I fully denounce comments…
— Bob Casey Jr. (@Bob_Casey) October 28, 2024
There are 450,000 Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania. I’m so proud to represent many members of their community in Harrisburg. They make Pennsylvania better, they’re our neighbors, our coworkers, they’re police officers, soldiers, teachers and small business owners. 🇵🇷
— Rep. Joshua Siegel (@JoshuaSiegelPA) October 28, 2024
About 16% of Northampton County’s population identify as being of Hispanic Origin. A majority of them identify as Puerto Rican. These citizens get up every day to go to work, school, pray and play. They are interwoven into the fabric of our community. They are my friends.
— Lamont G. McClure (@LamontGMcClure1) October 28, 2024
