Nicky Jam Withdraws Trump Support After Racist Comments About Puerto Rico

Nicky Jam Withdraws Trump Support After Racist Comments About Puerto Rico


Puerto Rican reggaeton star Nicky Jam announced on Wednesday that he is withdrawing his support for U.S. presidential candidate Donald J. Trump. In a video posted on Instagram, Jam, seated in a luxury car, expressed disappointment over recent comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally. Hinchcliffe, speaking at New York’s Madison Square Garden on October 27, made racially insensitive remarks about Puerto Ricans, describing Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” His words sparked backlash among Puerto Ricans and high-profile figures, including Bad Bunny, Don Omar, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin.

Explaining his decision, Jam said he initially supported Trump because he believed the businessman-turned-politician would help strengthen the U.S. economy, positively impacting the large Latino and immigrant communities facing economic challenges. "With [Trump] being a businessman, I felt it was the right move," he stated in Spanish. However, Jam clarified that he “never in his life” expected a Trump-endorsed figure to make derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico, saying, “That’s why I’m renouncing my support for Donald Trump and stepping away from any political conversation. Puerto Rico deserves respect.”

Previously, Jam’s appearance at a Trump rally had gone viral, notably due to Trump’s misgendering of him as a “hot” woman while introducing him as “Latin music superstar Nicky Jam.” Jam had not publicly commented on the incident until now, and remained mostly silent on his rally appearance—until this week’s post addressing his choice to distance himself from the Trump campaign.