Jennifer Lopez expressed outrage at the Puerto Rico dig expressed at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally and asked voters in Nevada to give Kamala Harris a ‘Hollywood ending.’
JLo made her campaign trail debut Thursday night at a rally at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in Las Vegas, calling it the ‘most important stage I’ve ever been on’ as the presidential rivals tussled for votes in Sun Belt swing states.
The actress and singer said she was a ‘lover’ and didn’t mean to ‘trash’ anyone – ‘even facing the biggest adversary I think America has ever had’ – but she had something to say about that ‘garbage’ comment.
‘It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day, it was every Latino in this country,’ she said, referring to MAGA-aligned comic Tony Hinchcliffe calling the U.S. territory a ‘floating island of garbage.’ ‘It was humanity and anyone of decent character,’ Lopez said.
She also told the thousands of Harris supporters – some dressed in Halloween costumes, ‘I am Puerto Rican. ‘And yes I was born here and we are Americans,’ Lopez said to cheers. ‘You can’t even spell American without Rican,’ she quipped.
As Harris and Lopez worked to woo voters in Nevada, Trump appeared in Glendale, Arizona with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Thursday night.
Jennifer Lopez expressed outrage at the Puerto Rico dig expressed at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally and asked voters in Nevada to give Kamala Harris a ‘Hollywood ending’
Lopez commented the ‘energy in here tonight is just electric’ after taking the stage after the band Maná played a set.
‘Whether you’re from Castle Hill in the Bronx or Sunrise Manor in East Las Vegas, we all want a world where our kids feel safe and free and valued by their president,’ Lopez said.
She remembered feeling that as a kid, the president cared about her, cared about all Americans ‘not just some Americans.’
‘You know when I started in TV and film I could get roles playing the maid and the loud-mouth Latina. But I knew I had more to offer,’ she said. ‘And I think a lot of people in this country feel the same way, who know that they are capable of more – and we all just want a chance to prove it.’
‘Elections are about choosing leaders to support them – not one that stands in the way,’ Lopez added.
The singer didn’t immediately launch her attack on Trump and Hinchcliffe – instead outlining some of the policies that Harris supports – such as extending the child tax credit and a middle class tax cut.
‘It’s about helping you get ahead. It’s about you and you and you and you and you. It’s about us. All of us. No matter what we look like, who we love or who we worship or where we’re from,’ Lopez said.
Jennifer Lopez (left) and Vice President Kamala Harris (right) hug onstage at a Thursday night rally in Las Vegas, where Lopez addressed the insulting joke about Puerto Rico voiced at former President Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday
Vice President Kamala Harris onstage Thursday night at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her final of three rallies on a western swing Thursday. She also held events in Phoenix, Arizona and Reno, Nevada
During her introductory remarks, Jennifer Lopez expressed outrage over a Trump-aligned comedian calling Puerto Rico – where her parents were born – a ‘floating island of garbage’
‘Her opponent on the other hand, doesn’t see it that way,’ J. Lo said, prompting boos. ‘He has consistently worked to divide us.’
‘At Madison Square Garden he reminded us who he is and how he really feels,’ she continued.
A woman in the audience then shouted out ‘a jack-a**!’
‘I’m a lover. You guys know that about me, I’m a lover. I am not a fighter. I am not here to trash anyone or bring them down,’ Lopez said.
‘I know what that can feel like. I wouldn’t do it to my worst enemy. Or even facing the biggest adversary I think America has ever had.’
Lopez then identified herself as a Puerto Rican.
‘I am a mother, I am a sister, I am an actor and an entertainer,’ she proclaimed. ‘And I like Hollywood endings. And I like when the good guy, or in this case, the good girl, wins.’
‘And with an understanding of our past and a faith in our future, I will be casting my ballot for Kamala Harris for president of the United States,’ she said.
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez walks out onstage Thursday night at a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris in Las Vegas, Nevada
Jennifer Lopez (left) waves to supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris (right) as the Democratic nominee came onstage during her Las Vegas, Nevada rally Thursday night
J. Lo (left) blows a kiss to the audience as Vice President Kamala Harris (right) joined her onstage at a rally Thursday in Las Vegas. Lopez had endorsed Harris even before the Puerto Rican joke was made at Madison Square Garden, but then signed on as a surrogate
The actress, at times, appeared to be getting choked up.
‘I promised myself I wouldn’t get emotional. But you know what you know what? We should be emotional,’ she said. ‘We should be upset. We should be scared and outraged. We should. Our pain matters. We matter. You matter. Your voice and your vote matters.’
‘And look, don’t be afraid to make people around you uncomfortable,’ she also offered. ‘I see the way power works in this country. They love it when you do nothing. OK, a non-vote is an agreement. It just makes it easier, easier for them to do whatever they want.’
Lopez then butchered the voting website, IWillVote.com.
‘I got carried away!’ she laughed. ‘Let’s do this Las Vegas.’
Harris then sauntered onstage, embracing Lopez in a hug before the actress walked off.
J. Lo, whose parents were born in Puerto Rico, had shared a video with Harris detailing her plans for Puerto Rico on Sunday, in the hours before the controversial Madison Square Garden rally.
The ‘garbage’ row saw Trump wear a high-vis vest and ride in a dumpster truck after Biden called his supporter’s garbage in response to the MSG ‘racsim’ row
The ‘garbage’ debacle was sparked at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Sunday.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe opened the midtown Manhattan rally with a routine that included a punchline calling Puerto Rico a ‘floating island of garbage.’
The joke landed flat with Democratic politicians and the Hispanic community.
President Joe Biden botched the administration’s response to the controversy by slinging back the insult and calling Trump’s supporters ‘garbage.’
‘The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,’ Biden said on a call on Tuesday. ‘His- his- his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable and it is un-American.’
Biden’s gaffe was immediately compared to Hillary Clinton’s infamous ‘deplorables’ label for Trump supporters in 2016.
According to the official transcript prepared by White House stenographers, Biden said on the Tuesday call: ‘The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters – his – his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American.’
However, the transcript released by the White House press office altered the word supporters. It said ‘supporter’s’ rather than a plural ‘supporters.’
This change, according to aides, corrects Biden’s statement to imply he was criticizing Hinchcliffe alone, not the millions of Americans voting for Trump, the Associated Press reported.
Biden’s remark has undercut Harris’ pitch to work with those who disagree with her and move past the bitter divisions that define American politics.
Vice President Kamala Harris (left) greets her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff (right) onstage at her Las Vegas rally. Emhoff made campaign stops with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris (left) onstage with second gentleman Doug Emhoff (right) after she concluded her remarks and appearance with J. Lo in Las Vegas Thursday night
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was less than complimentary about Puerto Rico during his roast at the Trump MSG event
The back-and-forth continued on Wednesday when Trump showed up to his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin in a white trash truck and an orange reflective vest over a white button down.
Taking questions as he sat in the garbage truck, Trump said Biden ‘should be ashamed of himself’ and that Harris was guilty by association.
Trump supporters ‘are not garbage,’ the former president said.
Trump, meanwhile, distanced himself from Hinchcliffe. ‘I don’t know who he is…I know nothing about him,’ said Trump, adding, ‘I love Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico loves me.’
Seizing on the moment in classic Trumpian style, the ex-president then decided to keep the orange vest on as he took to the stage in Green Bay.
Trump told Wednesday’s crowd in Wisconsin that he had wanted to take the high visibility clothing off but his team advised that it would be better if he wore it for his speech.
‘I said “No way!” but they said it actually makes you look thinner,’ Trump joked.
‘And they got me – I said I wanna wear it on stage … I may never wear my blue jacket again. I may go in this.’
The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers at the rally and a clip of Trump’s comments quickly went viral.
The band Maná performed ahead of Jennifer Lopez and Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearances at a rally on Halloween night in Las Vegas, Nevada
Some supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris dressed up for Halloween during her Thursday night rally in Las Vegas, Nevada
After Hinchcliffe’s set went viral, several Puerto Rican celebrities – including Lopez, Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny – became new surrogates for Harris.
Lopez doubled down on that support of Harris in her Instagram story and the Las Vegas rally appearance was announced.
Nevada – like the other six battleground states – continues to look like a nail-biter.
FiveThirtyEight.com on Thursday said Harris has a 51 percent chance of winning the state, while Trump has a 49 percent chance.
A CNN/SSRS poll released Tuesday showed Trump with 48 percent of the support of likely voters in Nevada and Harris with 47 percent.
The last time Nevada voted for a Republican in the presidential race was 2004, however President Joe Biden only won the state by 33,596 votes.
While Hinchcliffe’s comments could do far more damage to the Trump campaign in Pennsylvania – where nearly half a million Puerto Ricans live – around 27,000 live in Nevada.
Hinchcliffe also made a more broadly racist jokes about Latinos – which could damage Trump’s prospects in Nevada.
The 2020 census put the number of Latinos in Nevada at 890,257 – or 28.7 percent.
‘These Latinos, they love making babies, too. Just know that they do,’ Hinchcliffe had said at the MSG rally. ‘There’s no pulling out.’
‘They don’t do that. They come inside. Just like they did to our country,’ he added.
Despite Trump’s hardline stance on immigration – and pledge for the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in US history – his campaign had been making inroads with Latino voters.
Rep. Dina Titus signals that there are just five more days until the presidential election. She also told the crowd: ‘I’m one of those childless cat ladies that old crazy ass J.D. Vance likes to talk about … we’ve got to quit p****-footing around’
A supporter stands in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas jumbotron at a rally Thursday night at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater
The CNN poll in Nevada shows Harris with just a one-point advantage – 48 percent to 47 percent – with the voting bloc.
While the tide could turn for the Democratic nominee, she might be running out of time.
Forty-two percent of Nevada’s likely voters who were interviewed for the CNN/SSRS said they had already cast a ballot in the 2024 race.
And during the opening line-up of speakers, Rep. Dina Titus warned that the numbers didn’t look great for Democratic turn-out.
‘But I hate to tell you this, but Nevada is falling behind. No in fact, the Republicans are kicking our a** at the early voting. We cannot let that happen,’ the lawmaker said.
‘I’m one of those childless cat ladies that old crazy ass J.D. Vance likes to talk about,’ Titus also said. ‘We’ve got to quit p****-footing around.’
Earlier Thursday Harris held rallies in Reno, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.
According to the poll of 1,000 likely voters, her ‘biggest blunder’ is that she would not change anything from the Biden administration
Trump has also overtaken Harris in the final DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national poll before Election Day, with the former president holding a three-point lead over the vice president.
Both candidates have shored up their bases, but Trump has done better at picking up support from independents and undecided voters in the final push, according to the data.
The poll of 1,000 likely voters, which has margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, shows that Trump is trending up, with the support of 49 percent to Harris’ 46 percent.
The race is still close. Yet, with five days to go, the numbers mean Trump is currently on course to become the first Republican candidate since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the popular vote.
The vice president held a one-point lead when the poll was last conducted in September.
J.L. Partners polled 1000 likely voters from Oct 26 to 29. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 points, but put Donald Trump back in the lead after he fell behind
Voters disclosed in the exclusive DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national survey that the vice president should have distanced herself from Biden sooner.
According to the poll, her ‘biggest blunder’ is that she would ‘not change anything’ from the Biden administration.
Harris was asked on The View last month about what she would change about Biden’s presidency. ‘There is not a thing that comes to mind,’ Harris responded.
She defended the president’s record and added: ‘I’ve been a part of most of the decisions that have had impact.’
But for voters in the DailyMail.com poll, that answer could be fatal for her election chances.
The same survey showed that Trump is holding a three-point lead over the vice president at 49 percent to Harris’ 46 percent.
And with just a few days left of the campaign, Trump is on course to become the first GOP candidate to win the popular vote – since George W. Bush in 2004.
Weeks later, Harris was asked again by Fox News’ Bret Baier about what she would have done differently from Biden.
She dodged answering directly, instead stating that she represents a ‘new generation of leadership.’
‘Let me be very clear: My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency,’ she said.
‘Like every new president that comes into office, I will bring my life experiences, my professional experiences, and fresh and new ideas. I represent a new generation of leadership.’
Other blunders that respondents listed as issues for Harris included picking Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate and not having Taylor Swift perform at the Democratic National Convention.
Yet Harris has had no issue recruiting Hollywood Democrats to the campaign trail, with the likes of Beyoncé, Eminem, Lopez and more making appearances at her events.
Lopez appeared alongside Harris on Thursday, just days after she was seen walking away from reporters who were peppering her with questions about her relationship with alleged sex offender Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs at an autograph signing.
Video released Thursday showed the singer dodging the interrogation after she was reminded about her past connection to Diddy, whom she famously dated from 1999 to 2001.
The star has previously spoken about her ‘tempestuous’ and ’emotionally exhausting’ two-year romance with the rapper, 54, who she split with over his infidelities.
Lopez had been attending the AFI FEST 2024 Unstoppable screening and Q&A in Los Angeles earlier in the evening before signing autographs on her way out.
The actress, who is in the process of divorcing estranged husband Ben Affleck, was met with personal questions about her link to Diddy at the signing.
In the clip, a fan moved towards the Hollywood favorite, and asked: ‘JLo, do you have any comments about Diddy and the allegations?’
Jennifer Lopez walked away after being peppered with questions about her relationship with alleged sex offender Diddy at an autograph signing (pictured on the night)
A new video shows the singer, 55, dodging the interrogation after she was bombarded with reminders about her past connection to ex Sean ‘ Diddy ‘ Combs (pictured in 2000)
Lopez immediately stopped signing autographs and walked out of the door, with other fans shouting after her ‘don’t leave’.
However, she ignored their request to stay and left the event without answering any questions about her past relationship.
JLo and Diddy were one of the most high profile couples of the late nineties and early noughties, dating between 1999 and 2001.
Previously speaking on their romance, Jennifer said: ‘And we broke up many times before that, and got back together and broke up again, and nobody knew about it.
‘It was very tempestuous. Towards the end it was emotionally exhausting. It was good that I was young.’
The singer made headlines again Thursday after photographs of Diddy and Lopez locked in a heated argument on the night he is now accused of raping a 13-year-old girl were unearthed.
The music mogul and the singer were snapped attending a star-studded afterparty for the 2000 MTV VMAs in New York City where they were later seen having a dramatic confrontation.
The photos were taken at the now-defunct Lotus nightclub on September 7, 2000 – the same evening a new lawsuit alleges Diddy sexually assaulted a young girl in front of two unidentified celebrities.
A guest who attended the exclusive bash recalled witnessing the spat, which ended with the rapper making an early exit with his entourage and a group of girls.
‘Diddy held a Cristal champagne bottle the entire time serving his guests,’ according to the source. ‘Everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves but as the night progressed, tensions rose between him and JLo.’
Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com captured the moment an irate J.Lo shouts at the Bad Boy founder in the middle of the party before walking away.
Unearthed photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez having a tense argument at the 2000 VMAs afterparty in New York City
Images obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com captured the moment an irate J.Lo shouts at the Bad Boy founder in the middle of the party before walking away
The incident occurred hours after the couple had attended the award show earlier that night at Radio City Music Hall, where Lopez was photographed wearing her iconic all-white outfit consisting of a cropped rhinestone tank top, matching low-rise pants, and a bedazzled bandana.
She later changed into a multicolor geometric patterned mini tube dress for the celebrity afterparty – co-hosted by rappers Eminem and Dr. Dre – which attracted high-profile names including Jay Z, Ben Stiller, Fred Durst, and Ice T.
Additional photos show magician David Blaine entertaining guests such as Steven Dorff, Josie Maran, and model Carmen Cass with card tricks in the crowd.
J.Lo and Diddy arrived at the venue with her sister Lynda, manager Benny Medina, record executive Damon Dash, as well as several girls and various members of their entourage who made their way to the club’s VIP area.
Inside, Diddy could be seen pouring glasses of pricey champagne and dancing with guests.
The artists appeared eager to celebrate after J.Lo, who was 31 at the time, had secured the award for Best Dance Video for her hit song Waiting for Tonight, according to the eyewitness.
But for reasons that are unclear, tensions escalated, leading to a dramatic confrontation in the middle of the festivities.
J.Lo’s sister, Lynda Lopez was seen standing nearby and attempting to lighten the mood by dancing, while the angry argument unfolded
Lopez, who is standing on an elevated platform above the rest of the crowd, can be seen scowling at her then-boyfriend who is below her pouring champagne for other party guests.
The two eventually get into an angry exchange, with J.Lo’s sister seen standing nearby and attempting to lighten the mood by dancing.
Meanwhile, observers, including Medina and other guests, had watched in disbelief as the couple’s argument unfolded, the source recalled.
After a couple of hours filled with arguments, Diddy decided it was time to leave the party. He took Lopez and their entourage, including the girls, and exited together, the source said. It is unknown what the argument was about.
The resurfacing of these images comes as Diddy faces a new lawsuit alleging sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl on the same night. Lopez is not named in the lawsuit.
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