Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin show their support for Kamala Harris after the comedian made racist jokes at the Trump rally

Bad Bunny shared the Harris video on his Instagram Story after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe spoke at the Trump rally, calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean” and saying that Latinos “love making babies.” . Hinchcliffe's routine also included offensive and racist comments about Jews and black Americans.

Bad Bunny, whose name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is considered an important influencer. He was Spotify's most-streamed artist in 2020, 2021 and 2022 before being displaced by Taylor Swift in 2023. His support could give the Harris campaign a boost as it seeks to shore up its support among Latino voters, where Trump has worked to gain ground.

In September, the Washington Post published an article with the headline: “A Pop Star’s Endorsement That Could Really Sway the Election? Bad Bunny.”

According to the Associated Press, a representative for Bad Bunny confirmed his support for Harris.

Bad Bunny wasn't the only celebrity to support Harris after Trump's campaign.

Ricky Martin also used his Instagram account, which has over 18 million followers, to show his support for Harris.

In an Instagram Story, Martin included the video of Harris speaking, followed by a clip of Hinchcliffe making his comments about Puerto Rico, and wrote, “Esto es lo que piensan de nosotros.”

Translation: “This is what they think about us.” Vote for @kamalaharris.”

The Trump campaign has distanced itself from the jokes made at the rally.

The Associated Press reported that Trump campaign spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez said, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

Luis Fonsi, a Puerto Rican artist who sings the hit “Despacito,” wrote on Instagram: “Taking this racist path is not that.”

“We do not agree with this constant hatred,” he wrote in a message shared on Instagram. “It’s abundantly clear that these people have no respect for us.”

In Pennsylvania, arguably the most hotly contested swing state in the 2024 election, the Puerto Rican electorate is significant. Other Puerto Rican singers such as Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony had already expressed their support for Harris. Trump has also received support from other popular stars on the island such as Anuel AA and Nicky Jam.

Bad Bunny has been vocal in his criticism of Puerto Rico's power grid, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria. In a music video for his 2022 song “El Apagon”, the artist blamed the transmission and distribution company Luma Energy for the constant power outages plaguing the island.

One of his most recent songs, “Una Velita,” is also a protest against the government's response after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017.

A year after the storm, health experts estimated that nearly 3,000 people died from the effects of Hurricane Maria. But Trump, whose efforts to help the island territory recover have been repeatedly criticized, repeatedly questioned that number, saying it had risen “as if by magic.”

His visit to the island after the hurricane sparked controversy, such as when he threw paper towels. Years later, just weeks before the 2020 presidential election, his administration released $13 billion in aid. And a federal government watchdog found that officials obstructed an investigation into delays in the delivery of aid.

Earlier Sunday, Harris visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in North Philadelphia and announced her policy on the island, saying she wanted to create a task force to attract investment to repair the power grid. And Trump is traveling on Tuesday to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where more than half the population is Hispanic and the majority of them are from Puerto Rico.

In 2020, Bad Bunny allowed the Biden campaign to use one of his hits, “Pero Ya No,” in a television commercial.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Emily Sweeney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.