Trump Campaign Attempts Damage Control After Racist Rally Remarks Spark Backlash

On Monday, MSNBC commentator Alicia Menendez discussed the potential fallout from a series of inflammatory and racist comments made at Donald Trump’s New York City rally, predicting that these remarks could haunt the former president’s campaign in key battleground states. Speaking on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House, Menendez noted that even some of Trump’s allies were distancing themselves from the rhetoric, defying “one of the number one rules of Trumpism”—to never apologize or backtrack.

The controversial remarks at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally included comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s monologue targeting Latinos and Puerto Ricans, in which he said they “love making babies” and described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” Menendez pointed out that such comments could resonate poorly with voters, particularly in Pennsylvania—a pivotal battleground where Latinos make up around 5% of the electorate, with Puerto Ricans accounting for a significant portion of that demographic.

“Pennsylvania is well poised to be the tipping point state,” Menendez explained, emphasizing the importance of Latino voters in the state’s Electoral College impact. She highlighted that while Puerto Rican residents on the island cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, their family members and friends in key swing states like Pennsylvania can, potentially influencing the outcome in a race that could be decided by slim margins.

MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace added, “The idea that it doesn’t offend all of us is also wrong.” Menendez agreed, noting the visible break from standard Trump campaign tactics. “One of the number one rules of Trumpism is you never apologize, you never say you were wrong, you never disavow,” she stated. “And what did we see? We saw the Trump campaign trying to distance itself… you can’t distance yourself from a speaker that you invited in and then allowed to continue onstage… they knew what they were getting.”

Menendez pointed out that some GOP members of Congress, including Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), are moving to separate themselves from the rally’s rhetoric. “They understand the power of this community and the power of this vote,” she explained, noting that dismissive or offensive comments could alienate a significant voter base.

On CNN’s OutFront, host Erin Burnett echoed Menendez’s assessment, saying, “The fallout from the rally could cost Trump the election.” Burnett noted that the Trump campaign was “making a rare clean-up attempt tonight,” underscoring the potential impact these remarks may have on Trump’s reelection strategy as November nears.