Former Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló has been closely monitoring the fallout from racist comments at Donald Trump’s campaign rally on Sunday.

As someone who has been involved in politics for much of his life, Rosselló — who has historically supported the Democratic party — heard responses from both Republican colleagues and previously ambivalent voters.

“On the one hand, I see that people who were leaning toward voting for Trump are now considering abstaining or voting for Harris,” Rosselló said, adding that once ambivalent voters are now using this moment as motivation to cast their ballots. vote for Kamala Harris.

On Sunday night, at Trump’s campaign rally in New York City, a comedian called Puerto Rico a “floating island of trash” and made disparaging comments about its population. The comments sparked outrage and anger among Puerto Ricans and other voters across the country.

Rosselló believes the racist comments could lead to huge political consequences for Trump ahead of the 2024 elections next week.

“I just believe, from my experience, that when President Trump brings it up and goes into it with full force and says, ‘I love the people of Puerto Rico, I completely reject the idea that they are trash, they are opposite. of waste, they are great people, they are patriots, proud American citizens’ – just one example – then you can give the people something straight from the horse’s mouth,” said Rosselló. “But if you don’t, you leave it all open to interpretation. You left it all open for doubt and for people to speculate about what the intention is. And that is a dangerous position to be in.”

Rosselló can speak firsthand about political controversies.

Don’t miss important US election coverage. Get our free app and sign up for election alerts

Rosselló faced massive backlash in 2019 when leaked messages from a group chat revealed that Rosselló and members of his cabinet exchanged misogynistic, racist and offensive texts. In some messages, members of the chat joked about the victims of 2017’s Hurricane Maria. In response to overwhelming protests, Rosselló, who had served as governor of Puerto Rico for just over two years, resigned.

“I’m not speaking from a theory,” Rosselló said. “I speak from experience. I have seen the power of words and what they can do, especially what they can do if you underestimate them or if you don’t set out to define them for yourself.”

For Rosselló, there is a “traditional idea” that “actions speak louder than words,” but, he added, “words speak louder than actions.” And this is the reality we live in now: words are powerful things. They can be used for beautiful and amazing sight and construction. But they can be very destructive and painful.”

Also this weekend, outside Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Harris’ campaign unveiled its plans for Puerto Rico, Pennsylvania.

For some Puerto Rican voters, the stark contrast between the campaigns was significant. Rosselló said it had even led some Republicans he worked with to drop their support for Trump.

“Our people are wonderful, beautiful, intelligent and creative people,” Rosselló said. “President Trump must reject these statements. I see no other way out. If he does not, his silence will speak volumes and implicitly support the views expressed there.”

Trump defended the Madison Square Rally on Tuesday, calling it a “love fest.” Later on Tuesday, at a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania — which has a sizable Latino population — Trump also praised Puerto Ricans, saying, “No one loves our Latino community and our Puerto Rican community more than I do.”

And while it is unclear whether the Trump administration was aware of the coming racist comments, Rosselló said the Trump administration most likely knew what Hinchcliffe would say: “As someone who knows how some of these events are unfolding – because I have been in the was fed up with politics – my question was: how did they let a comedian come and say such things? It’s not something that was just said, it was written material. How did that pass the test?”

NBC News reported that Hinchcliffe had discussed the racist line at a comedy club the night before.

Puerto Rico became a US colony after the Spanish-American War and Puerto Ricans became US citizens in 1917. Due to the island’s status as a US territory, Puerto Ricans living on the island cannot vote; however, those living in US states are eligible to vote.

Tensions between the White House and the island increased under the Trump administration. In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, then-President Trump considered the idea of ​​selling the island. Trump also blocked and postponed emergency aid to Puerto Rico.

A lifelong supporter of the Puerto Rican New Progressive party, Rosselló served as governor during Trump’s presidency until his resignation in 2019. His father, Pedro Rosselló, also served as governor from 1993 to 2001. Now, Rosselló is a shadow member of the U.S. House of Delegates. Representatives representing Puerto Rico in Congress, and he also heads a bipartisan organization that advocates for Puerto Rican statehood.

Economic, political and environmental crises have severely affected the island in recent years. As the 2024 elections approach, Rosselló is appealing to the U.S. federal government for Puerto Rican statehood.

“I have been very clear and enthusiastic that Puerto Rico’s status issue must be resolved,” Rosselló said. “The territory is the cause of many of our ills… I think anyone who is serious about helping Puerto Rico should let us make a final decision on status, to move away from the territory status that is not working.”

As Election Day approaches, the Puerto Rican voting bloc is notable — especially in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.

“At the end of the day, they just helped us,” Philadelphia City Council Member Quetcy Lozada, a Harris supporter, said earlier this week. “They have helped propel the Democratic party to where we will be on November 5.”