Nicky Jam Withdraws Endorsement of Donald Trump Following Comedian's Derogatory Comment About Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Nicky Jam has retracted his support for Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This decision comes a month after he attended a rally for Trump. The change of heart appears to be influenced by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's derogatory comments about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally in New York.

"The reason why I supported Donald Trump was because I thought he was the best for the economy in the United States, where many Latinos live, many of us Latinos live, myself included, many immigrants who are suffering because of the economy and him, being a businessman, I thought it was the best move," Jam said in Spanish, in a video statement posted to his official Instagram page.

Impact on Puerto Rican Community

Hinchcliffe's remarks have resonated deeply within the Puerto Rican community and beyond. Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans cannot vote in general elections but can influence relatives on the mainland. The Grammy-winning Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny quickly voiced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris following the incident.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez, shared a video on Instagram highlighting Puerto Rico's historical significance and its people's contributions to politics, sports, and entertainment. His post was captioned with the word "garbage," reflecting his disapproval of Hinchcliffe's comments.

Reactions from Other Celebrities

Ricky Martin, who had previously endorsed Harris, also expressed his displeasure with Hinchcliffe's statement. On Instagram, he remarked, "that's what they think of us," indicating his frustration. Meanwhile, Anuel AA, another prominent Puerto Rican artist who had supported Trump last month, was unavailable for comment due to his tour commitments.

Nicky Jam had shown his support for Trump during a rally in Las Vegas last month. During this event, Trump mistakenly referred to him as a woman. "Latin Music superstar Nicky Jam! Do you know Nicky? She's hot. Where's Nicky?" Trump said. This incident further complicated Jam's endorsement.

Consequences in the Music Industry

The Mexican pop-rock band Maná has responded to these developments by removing their 2016 collaboration with Nicky Jam, "De pies a cabeza," from online platforms. In an Instagram post explaining their decision, Maná stated, "Maná does not work with racists." The band is also set to join Harris at an event in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Nicky Jam concluded his statement by distancing himself from political matters and urging respect for Puerto Rico. "Never in my life did I think that a month later a comedian was going to come to criticize my country and speak badly of my country and therefore, I renounce any support for Donald Trump, and I sidestep any political situation. Respect Puerto Rico," he declared.

Representatives for Nicky Jam have not yet responded to requests for further comment on this matter.