In a twist that could sway the 2024 election, former Republican strategist Mike Madrid revealed to The New Republic’s Greg Sargent that former President Donald Trump’s choice to open a high-profile rally at Madison Square Garden with a comedian known for mocking Puerto Rico could have major repercussions. This move, Madrid suggests, risks alienating Puerto Rican voters in key swing states like Pennsylvania, where the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is incredibly close.
In his interview, Madrid explained the crucial role Pennsylvania’s Puerto Rican community could play in determining the election outcome. “There are about 450,000 Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania,” he said, “and they represent around 3.7 percent of the population. In a state this competitive, a small shift among this community could change everything.
” Madrid highlighted Allentown as a particularly influential area, with 33,500 Puerto Rican residents who could be decisive in flipping the state if mobilized.
Adding fuel to the fire, high-profile Puerto Rican stars like Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez are drawing attention to Trump’s choice of opener. Madrid believes their influence could drive awareness and rally Puerto Rican voters who might otherwise have stayed out of the political fray.
“If Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez can shift even 10,000 to 15,000 Puerto Rican votes back to Kamala Harris, she’s in a much stronger position to win,” he argued.
Madrid emphasized that Trump may have unwittingly handed his opponent a unique opportunity. “This could be the October surprise no one saw coming,” he said, playfully taunting Trump, “Surprise, Donald—you blew yourself up.
It’s entirely possible this mistake could deliver Pennsylvania right into Kamala Harris’s win column.” The strategist added that even a minor swing in Pennsylvania’s Latino electorate could shape the outcome in other battleground states.
For Madrid, this isn’t just a slip-up; it’s a potentially catastrophic error that shows Trump underestimated the influence of a key voter demographic and the power of cultural icons to impact politics. “This is not a good development for Trump,” he said, “and it could ultimately be the move that costs him the election.”
