Christian Leaders Demand Apology From Donald Trump Over Offensive Remarks About Puerto Rico

Published on: November 3, 2024

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In case you missed it, following deeply offensive and xenophobic remarks about Puerto Rico made by a speaker at Donald Trump’s Sunday Madison Square Garden rally – which came weeks after Trump and Vance spread lies about Haitian refugees – Christian leaders and the Archbishop of San Juan have called on Donald Trump to apologize. The comments, which described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” have sparked outrage and condemnation across the political spectrum and within the Puerto Rican community across the United States, including key battleground states.

Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero released the following on behalf of The National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC), a coalition of several thousand Latino evangelical congregations, pastors, and not-for-profits committed to the Gospel and the common good:

“As a Puerto Rican living in Florida, with parents and siblings born on the island, many relatives still residing there, and family members who have courageously served in the United States military, I find these remarks deeply offensive and personal. Puerto Ricans are patriots, who serve this nation in spite of too-often being treated as second-class citizens. The crude insinuation that my wife, children, parents, extended family, and friends are ‘garbage’ is not just hurtful—it is a direct attack on their dignity. As a Christian, I am called to forgive offenses, and I do forgive. However, forgiveness does not absolve accountability. I urge those responsible to repent and issue a sincere public apology for promoting rhetoric that wounds our community and sows division. In the meantime, we advise our communities to hold candidates accountable for actions that demean our communities.”

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