The archbishop of Puerto Rico’s capital city has expressed his dismay and disapproval over a joke made by a speaker at a recent Donald Trump rally. The comedian and podcast host, who opened the rally in New York City, made a comment referring to Puerto Rico as a 'floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.'
This remark has sparked strong criticism, including from Trump allies, despite efforts by the former president's campaign to distance itself from the joke. San Juan Archbishop Roberto O. Gonzalez Nieves issued a statement online, emphasizing that Puerto Rico is not a 'floating island of garbage' but rather a beautiful country with noble inhabitants.
The archbishop highlighted the significant contribution of Puerto Rican soldiers to the United States military, noting that more Puerto Rican soldiers died in the Vietnam War than soldiers from any U.S. state. He underscored the importance of respecting boundaries in humor, stating that jokes should not serve to insult or denigrate individuals.
In response to the backlash, the comedian defended his comment by stating that the critics lacked a sense of humor. Trump's running mate also downplayed the issue, asserting that a comedian's joke should not be newsworthy. However, the archbishop refuted these defenses, emphasizing that humor should not incite hatred and calling on Trump to disavow the comments and issue a personal apology.
