The election is in 4 days and there’s a battle over who is “garbage” 🗑️
Also: Why swing states matter, Gen Z candidates talk to Zivvy, and nerds gummy clusters are having a moment
In the chaotic final week of the 2024 presidential campaign, it’s hard to ignore the tone shift as both sides sling accusations and insults, calling each other “garbage.” From Donald Trump’s rallies in battleground states to President Joe Biden’s virtual Latino outreach efforts on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris, the last few days have seen sharp rhetoric and unexpected theatrics. But what’s gaining serious traction is a controversial remark about Puerto Rico by a comedian at a Trump rally. Here’s a closer look at how this moment has turned the spotlight on Puerto Rican voters, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania, where both candidates are vying for every possible vote.
The “Garbage” Comment and Latino Backlash
It all started when comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, opening at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden, referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Puerto Rico holds deep cultural pride, so it’s no surprise that his remarks sparked immediate backlash. Puerto Rican attendees at Trump’s rallies were split – some remained loyal to Trump for his economic promises, while others felt alienated. The comment resonated in Latino communities across Pennsylvania and other swing states, where Puerto Ricans make up a large portion of the electorate.
Nicky Jam, a reggaeton superstar with Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, added fuel to the fire by withdrawing his endorsement of Trump. Initially, Nicky Jam supported Trump due to his business background and promises to revitalize the economy. But after the “island of garbage” comment, he posted a Spanish-language video saying he could no longer back someone associated with such remarks. Other stars, including Bad Bunny and Aubrey Plaza, quickly joined in, expressing solidarity with Puerto Ricans and supporting the Harris campaign.
The Swing Vote Struggle in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, where over 300,000 Puerto Ricans reside, has become a focal point for both campaigns. Trump has worked to gain support among Latino voters by promising economic growth and stronger border control. However, his efforts faced significant setbacks after the comedian’s remarks. Though Trump’s campaign quickly distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments, saying they didn’t reflect Trump’s views, the damage had already taken hold.
Some Puerto Rican voters who had been quietly supporting Vice President Harris saw the insult as a call to action. Determined to counter what they see as dismissive attitudes toward Puerto Rican culture, they are mobilizing their community to vote against Trump. JLo joined Harris in a rally in Las Vegas on Thursday. Nevada, which is about 30% Latino, is one of the seven battleground states expected to play a decisive role in the election.
Others, though, are more focused on economic issues and remain on the fence despite the incident, underscoring the mixed priorities within the Latino voting bloc.
Biden’s Own “Garbage” Misstep
Ironically, just as Trump was grappling with the fallout of the Puerto Rico insult, President Biden stumbled into his own mess. In a virtual call with Latino supporters of Vice President Harris, Biden condemned the “hateful rhetoric” toward Latinos from Trump’s rally, calling those launching the insults “garbage.” However, the statement was quickly taken out of context, with Trump’s supporters framing it as an insult to all of Trump’s voters. Trump seized the opportunity, riding into a Wisconsin rally on a garbage truck, an unusual but dramatic effort to keep the focus on Biden’s words.
Trump told his audience, “250 million Americans are not garbage,” suggesting Biden, and by extension Harris, were attacking anyone who didn’t support him. He reminded his base of Clinton’s 2016 “basket of deplorables” comment, painting the Democratic party as out of touch with average Americans. Although Biden clarified that his comment was aimed at divisive rhetoric, Trump’s team doubled down, rallying his supporters with the idea that Democrats look down on them.
Why This Matters
Puerto Rican voters could be crucial in battleground states like Pennsylvania, and with both campaigns vying for every vote, this latest controversy might sway undecided voters.
Historically, Puerto Ricans have leaned Democratic, but Trump’s promise of economic growth has led some to reconsider. Now, with emotions running high and both campaigns trading accusations, every word counts in shaping the Latino vote.
As Election Day approaches, the debate has dominated headlines, sparking conversations around cultural respect, economic priorities, and the value placed on Latino voices in American politics. With both sides scrambling to make their case, Latino voters — particularly Puerto Ricans — could help decide this election.
🤷🏽♀️ Confused about the election process? Ask Ashlyn!
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🇺🇸 Gen Z candidates talk to Zivvy News
Zivvy News is committed to highlighting the work of young changemakers who are tackling key issues and making a difference in their communities and beyond. Ahead of Election Day, Zivvy News has spoken to several Gen Z politicians from both sides of the aisle. View our Gen Z Spotlight series here.
🗳️ Politics
➤ Will celebrity endorsements sway the presidential election?
Harris vs. Trump may well come down to Taylor vs. Elon in some battleground districts, says Tufts expert on youth voting (TuftsNow)
➤ ‘January 6th is going to be pretty fun’: How MAGA activists are preparing to undermine the election if Trump loses
For months, those activists – who have been priming Trump supporters to believe the only way the former president can lose in 2024 is through fraud – have laid out proposals to thwart a potential Kamala Harris victory. Their plans include challenging results in court, pressuring lawmakers to block election certification, and encouraging protests – culminating on January 6, 2025, the day Congress will once again certify the results. (CNN)
➤ WaPo subscribers flee en masse after Bezos' endorsement decision
The Washington Post has seen at least 250,000 readers cancel their subscriptions after owner Jeff Bezos ended a decades-long tradition of endorsing presidential candidates, the newspaper reported late Tuesday. (Axios)
🌎 Around the world
➤ At least 155 people were killed in devastating flash floods in Spain
A year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours around Valencia, Spain’s third most populous city, fueling the worst natural disaster in the country’s modern history. (NBC News)
➤ Iceland’s four-day working week trials have been a roaring success – economic growth spiked, workers were happier, and burnout plummeted
Iceland's shift to a shorter working week has coincided with its economy outperforming most of Europe, according to research from organizations backing four-day working weeks. (ITPro)
➤ North Korea Missile Test Puts Anywhere in United States Within Range
If launched normally, and dependent on its payload, this translates into a potential range of up to 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometers), Kwon Yong Soo, an honorary professor at South Korea's National Defense University said, which puts anywhere in America in its range. (Newsweek)
💰 Money
➤ Inside the Colorful and Cultish World of Nerds Gummy Clusters
Sales of Nerds have greatly increased in recent years, the company says. The secret? A multicolored orb. (New York Times)
➤ Russia fined Google more money than the entire world's GDP
The fine is for a whopping $2.5 decillion — that's $2.5,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (Quartz)
⚕️Health and wellness
➤ Election strain pushes 1 of 3 Americans to limit time with family, friends
50% of Gen Z consider 'political compatibility' an important factor in dating, survey says (Fox News)
➤ Landmark study finds life-altering benefits for teens a decade after weight loss surgery
Researchers have found "tremendous long-term outcomes" for teenagers who underwent surgery to treat their severe obesity a decade earlier. (Gizmodo)
👩💻 Technology
➤ Robert Downey Jr. threatens to sue any future executives who use his AI replica
Downey has the right to deny any digital replica uses in film—even after his death—because of California’s new law. (Fast Company)
➤ On Elon Musk’s X, Republicans go viral as Democrats disappear
A Washington Post analysis found that Republicans are posting more, getting followed more and going viral more now that the world’s richest Trump supporter is running the show. (Washington Post)
⭐ Gen Z in the Spotlight
➤ 2 US teens solve impossible 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem with trigonometry
Their groundbreaking work includes not just one, but nine new proofs of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry. (Interesting Engineering)
➤ Abortion Advocate Hadley Duvall Never Wanted to Be Political. Now She's Touring the Country For the Harris Campaign
Duvall may be an “accidental activist,” but that’s kind of the whole point. It’s surprising, she says, for people to be so surprised at how common versions of her situation are, “and to fail to realize that I could really be anybody.” (Teen Vogue)
🍿Pop Culture
➤ Saoirse Ronan taken aback by ‘wild’ reaction to women’s safety comments
Comment on Graham Norton’s talk show has gained support from women after clip shared around world (Guardian)
➤ "THIS! Is The Definition Of A Girls Girl": Ilona Maher Is Being Praised For Unknowingly Helping A Salon Staff With A Safety Concern
"It's insane out there, and I want you to know you can keep me for as long as you want. You can keep me for another hour. I'll cancel my plans if you want me for safety, or you want somebody there [to] just be a presence. It's dangerous out there," the Olympian said on TikTok. (Buzzfeed)
➤ Shawn Mendes says he's 'figuring out' his sexuality. Here's why his comments matter.
The singer talked about his sexuality at a concert Monday night – an oft-discussed topic among fans, casual onlookers and many members of the LGBTQ+ community. He said that "sexuality is such a beautifully complex thing, and it’s so hard to just put into boxes." (USA Today)
📡 On the radar
➤ McDonald’s may finally have a fix for its broken ice cream machine epidemic
On Oct. 25, the United States Copyright Office granted a copyright exemption that gives restaurants like McDonald's the “right to repair” broken machines by circumventing digital locks that prevent them from being fixed by anyone other than its manufacturer. (TODAY)
➤ What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights?
Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India — and for Hindus in particular. It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora. Over five days, people take part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts and prayer. (AP)
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