Puerto Ricans in the key swing state of Florida are expressing outrage and disbelief after President Donald Trump made a joke about the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico during a recent rally in the state.
During the rally in Ocala, Florida, Trump claimed that he had done a great job in Puerto Rico after the hurricane hit the island in 2017, killing nearly 3,000 people and leaving millions without power or clean water. He then joked that Puerto Rico had received more aid than any other state in the US.
The comments have sparked anger and frustration among Puerto Ricans living in Florida, many of whom have family and friends still living on the island. They see Trump’s remarks as dismissive of the suffering and loss that Puerto Ricans endured in the aftermath of the hurricane.
“It’s incredibly disrespectful and hurtful to hear the president make light of the tragedy that we went through,” said Maria Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican voter in Florida. “We are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, and to hear Trump joke about it like it was no big deal is just unacceptable.”
Puerto Ricans make up a significant portion of the population in Florida, particularly in the swing counties of Orange and Osceola. They are considered a key voting bloc in the upcoming presidential election, with both Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden actively courting their support.
Many Puerto Ricans in Florida say that Trump’s comments have only solidified their opposition to his re-election. They believe that his handling of the hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico was inadequate and that his remarks show a lack of empathy for those who suffered.
“We will not forget what Trump said about Puerto Rico,” said Carlos Lopez, a Puerto Rican voter in Orlando. “We will remember it when we cast our ballots in November. We deserve a president who will support us and show compassion for our community, not one who will make jokes at our expense.”
As the election draws near, it is clear that Puerto Ricans in Florida are determined to make their voices heard and ensure that their concerns are taken seriously by the candidates. Trump’s insensitive comments have only served to galvanize their resolve and strengthen their commitment to voting for change.