Bad Bunny Responds to Racist Remarks at Trump Rally With a Message of Puerto Rican Pride

Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican rapper, singer and international pop phenomenon, stepped up on Tuesday his condemnation of disparaging remarks about Puerto Rico that were made by a comedian at a rally for former President Donald J. Trump on Sunday.

In an Instagram post Bad Bunny captioned simply “garbage” — an allusion to the comedian Tony Hinchliffe’s comments about Puerto Rico being a “floating island of garbage” — the popular musician shared a previously unpublished eight-minute introductory video from his 2021 sold-out stadium concert in San Juan that highlights, in Spanish, the pride he feels for the island. The dramatic montage features narration citing Puerto Rico’s “kings and queens and champions” in sports, politics and entertainment, including Roberto Clemente, Míriam Colón, Sonia Sotomayor, Lin Manuel Miranda and Bad Bunny himself.

“We are the definition of heart and resistance,” Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez, wrote in a statement that closes the video. “For those who forget who we are,” the statement continues, “don’t worry, we will proudly remind them.”

Bad Bunny, who has 45.6 million followers on Instagram, had previously joined the chorus of entertainers with Puerto Rican heritage speaking out against the remarks following the rally on Sunday, when he posted a clip of Vice President Kamala Harris addressing Puerto Rican voters.

“I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader,” Harris said in the clip, which was also shared by the singers Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin. “He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back devastating hurricanes and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults.”

Joe Coscarelli is a culture reporter for The Times who focuses on popular music and a co-host of the Times podcast “Popcast (Deluxe).” More about Joe Coscarelli