Vice President Harris campaigns at Freddy and Tony’s Restaurant in Philadelphia on October 27, 2024.

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Vice President Harris promoted a new pledge to boost Puerto Rico’s economy in Philadelphia on Sunday — contrasting her approach with that of former President Donald Trump — as her message gained unexpected attention thanks to her opponent’s rally in New York.

A comedian who warmed up the crowd at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden called Puerto Rico a “floating island of trash” — sparking outrage from Boricuas miles around and boosting support for Harris’ message.

Megastar Bad Bunny posted Harris’ Puerto Rico pledge to his 45 million Instagram followers, and other Puerto Rican artists followed suit.

Bad Bunny will perform in Miami on May 24, 2024.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP

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Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP

The ‘joke’ could have political consequences in a key state

Puerto Ricans living on the island are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. But the Boricuas who live on the mainland do — and in Pennsylvania, a crucial state in this year’s race, they have significant influence.

According to UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute, about 580,000 Latinos in Pennsylvania can vote in this election — and most of them are Puerto Rican.

Harris made the rounds Sunday at Freddy and Tony’s Restaurant, a Puerto Rican mainstay in Philadelphia. She had announced this earlier to a direct camera video message that she would create a new Puerto Rico Opportunity Task Force if she wins the election.

Harris said the federal government would work with the private sector and island leaders to find ways to create more jobs there, and also pledged to rebuild the island’s rickety power grid.

“I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he didn’t do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader,” Harris said.

After Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, Trump arrived doubted the death toll And fought with the mayor of San Juan about the federal response to the disaster. While visiting the island after the storm, he infamously threw rolls of paper towels at a group of people at a church gathering supplies.

Trump’s campaign disavowed the comedian’s joke about Puerto Rico, and a stream of Republican politicians also followed suit