Democrats are known for their heightened anxiety before every general election, a tendency they humorously refer to as “bed-wetting.” With the upcoming election, many Democratic strategists fear the challenge of defeating Trump, acknowledging it won’t be easy.
However, a faint glimmer of hope has emerged for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, though no significant shift in polling has occurred, with the race still appearing to be a 50-50 split. Recently, at an event in Madison Square Garden, New York, Trump’s campaign inadvertently provided Harris with a small but meaningful advantage.
According to most surveys, one in five African-Americans may vote for Trump in this election. This number is even higher among young African-American adults. In fact, there is notable support for Trump across all groups that are not college-educated.
An Island of Pure Trash
On February 20, 1939, just before World War II, American Nazi supporters gathered nearly 20,000 people at Madison Square Garden in support of Hitler. The rally’s main message was “America First.” Decades later, a similar sentiment appeared at a rally led by Trump, with a focus on “America for Americans.” In this gathering, harsh language was used against immigrants, a rhetoric that has become common in Trump’s speeches.
However, controversy arose when a comedian supporting Trump addressed the crowd, mocking Puerto Rico by calling it a “floating island of trash.” He further ridiculed immigrants from South America, saying they were only capable of “producing children,” using crass language to make his point. This incident highlighted the tone and divisive rhetoric that have become part of the political landscape.
There has been no significant shift in the polls; on paper, the election still stands at a 50-50 split. However, two days ago, at a campaign rally in Madison Square Garden, New York, Trump and his team inadvertently handed Kamala a “gift.”
Puerto Rico, a U.S.-controlled territory, is home to nearly 6 million Puerto Ricans across various states, including Florida. Offensive comments about Puerto Rico could potentially sway some of these voters against Trump, affecting election outcomes. This is especially significant in Pennsylvania, where around 500,000 Puerto Ricans reside, a key state with 19 electoral votes that both Trump and Kamala need to win. Realizing the backlash, Trump visited Pennsylvania to ease tensions. Though he stopped short of an apology, he claimed that no one has done more for Puerto Rico than he has, nor will anyone in the future.
Source: Prothom Alo
