The Lincoln Project’s Powerful Digital Ad in Response to Puerto Rican Insult
The Lincoln Project, a political organization known for its hard-hitting advertisements, recently launched a powerful digital ad. This ad was in response to a controversial rally that took place in New York City. At this rally, an invited speaker, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, made a derogatory comment about Puerto Rico, referring to the U.S. territory as an “island of garbage”. This comment has sparked backlash and criticism from all corners, leading to the creation of this ad by The Lincoln Project.
This one-minute ad begins with a serious-sounding narrator with a Puerto Rican accent stating, “We are Puerto Ricans and we are Americans”. This statement is accompanied by an image of the Puerto Rican flag and a Puerto Rican woman looking out a window while holding a cup of tea. The ad goes on to connect former President Donald Trump to Hinchcliffe’s comment, reminding viewers of Trump’s response to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Trump’s Response to Hurricane Maria and Its Aftermath
Hurricane Maria was a devastating storm that hit Puerto Rico in 2017, resulting in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. The ad criticizes how Trump handled the aftermath of the hurricane, accusing him of not seeing Puerto Ricans as Americans. The narrator recalls, “We remember what he did to us after Hurricane Maria. We were dying by the thousands while he threw paper towels at us, like we were a joke because he thinks we are garbage”.
The ad then presents footage from Trump’s rally where Hinchcliffe made his controversial comment. The narrator continues, “We are not your punchline. We know who we are. We are proud Americans, proud Puerto Ricans, and we see who you are”.
Calling Out Trump and Hinchcliffe
In a powerful conclusion, the narrator labels Trump as a racist and a liar, stating, “You are the one that is garbage. And we know where real garbage belongs, in the trash”. This statement is a clear response to Hinchcliffe’s derogatory comment and a condemnation of Trump’s views on Puerto Ricans.
The ad has received support from both political parties, with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and others criticizing Hinchcliffe’s comment. Trump’s campaign has also distanced itself from the comment, stating that it does not represent Trump’s views. Nonetheless, Trump claimed he had no prior knowledge of Hinchcliffe and had not heard him speak at the rally.
This ad by The Lincoln Project serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of respect and equality in political discourse. It’s a stark call-out against derogatory comments and a stand for the rights and dignity of Puerto Ricans who are, as the ad emphasizes, proud Americans.
