Selena Gomez was the latest star who responded to Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial joke about Puerto Rico at Donald Trump‘s recent rally.
The actress, 32, said she ‘strongly disagreed with any comments that were made recently’ in an interview with Variety, after the comedian compared Puerto Rico to a ‘floating island of garbage.’
Selena, who was born in Texas and who has family of Mexican descent, added, ‘I definitely want to stand by my people.’
The star recently shared a video of herself submitting her ballot. She explained she posted the clip because ‘people can sometimes forget that the one vote can change everything.’
Her Emilia Perez co-star, Zoe Saldaña, 46, whose mother is Puerto Rican, also shared her thoughts on Hinchcliffe’s remark.
‘It’s sad that today, 2024, there’s just so much poverty in character on so many people that we misname as leaders. We have to pick leaders that really represent who we are as human beings.’
On Monday, Gomez dropped off her official election envelope in a mail box on the way to the premiere of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in Los Angeles.
She even accessorized her mesmerizing red sequin Rodarte gown with a coordinating clutch that featured her ‘I Voted’ sticker on it.
‘ITS TIME TO GO VOTE!!!’ she reminded her more than 58.2 TikTok followers.
This marks her second time voting in a presidential election as she admitted in 2020 that she previously felt her vote didn’t matter as a Democrat living in a blue state.
‘Honestly, I’m not ashamed to say this but I kind of—this was my first time,’ she told Vogue, at the time. ‘And I’m going to say that, because I’ve never felt — and this is so true, and I’m now admitting it to people — like my vote counts. Every vote counts. Some people get in their head, and they’re like, “Oh, well what does it matter?”‘
While poking fun at celebrity Democrats, Hinchcliffe’s offbeat remark sparked major backlash.
Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin were among a number of stars to throw their support behind Harris after Hinchcliffe said during Trump’s raucous Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday: ‘There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.’
The joke received a tepid response from the crowd, and widespread condemnation from Democrats, Republicans and even Trump’s own campaign. A series of Puerto Rican stars responded by endorsing Harris and sharing her plans for the U.S. territory.
Martin, the Puerto Rican superstar with 18.6 million followers on Instagram, quickly shared a video of Harris’s appeal to Puerto Rican voters, along with a clip of Hinchcliffe’s disparaging remarks.
‘This is what they think of us,’ Martin wrote in Spanish. ‘Vote for @kamalaharris.’
Lopez shared the same video and multiple slides showing Harris’ Puerto Rico policy to 250 million followers.
The video shared by Bad Bunny on Instagram shows Harris saying ‘there’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.’ A representative of the artist confirmed that Bad Bunny is supporting Harris.
The artist then shared another part of the clip where Harris says, ‘I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader.’
New York rapper Fat Joe wrote: ‘The man threw towels at you and blocked financial aid in Hurricane Maria and you Boris think he’s your guy WAKE UP VOTE!!!!!!! This is what he really thinks about you.’
Two Florida Republicans joined the condemnation for the joke, including Senator Rick Scott.
‘This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true. Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I’ve been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place,’ Scott wrote.
‘Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on the island.’
Congresswoman Maria Salazar wrote: ‘Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values.’
‘Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect,’ she added. ‘Educate yourself!
The normally pugnacious Trump campaign took the rare step of distancing itself from Hinchcliffe.
‘This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,’ senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.
