Jennifer Lopez made a passionate case for Kamala Harris at a Las Vegas rally tonight, while chiding Donald Trump for bringing a parade of speakers to a Madison Square Garden event earlier this week who made racist jokes and sexist remarks.
Trump “has consistently worked to divide us,” Lopez said. “At Madison Square Garden, he reminded us who he really is and how he really feels. It wasn’t just Puerto Ricans that were offended that day. It was every Latino in this country. It was humanity and anyone of decent character.”
Lopez spoke out on Sunday in support of Harris, as a line up of speakers at Trump’s New York event made racist jokes and extreme statements. A comedian, Tony Hinchcliffe, called Puerto Rico an “island of garbage,” generating a backlash including prominent entertainers of Puerto Rican descent.
“I am Puerto Rican, and yes, I was born here, and we are Americans,” Lopez said, adding, “I am a mother. I am a sister. I am an actor and an entertainer. And I like Hollywood endings. I like when the good guy, and in this case, the good girl wins.”
Harris’ campaign has sought to keep the remarks made at the Madison Square Garden event in the spotlight. Hinchcliffe’s comments have been placed in ads and celebrities like LeBron James have cited them in their endorsements. Earlier today, Ricky Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rita Moreno published an op ed defending Puerto Rico and the talent who has come from the U.S. territory.
“You might be surprised whom some people consider trash,” they wrote.
During her 15-minute remarks, Lopez at one point became emotional, telling the crowd, “We should be emotional. 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.”
Lopez devoted the majority of her speech to Harris, comparing her own upbringing to the vice president’s, and telling the crowd that she “gets it.”
“When I started in TV and film, I could get roles playing the maid or the loud mouth Latina, but I knew I have more to offer,” Lopez said. “And I think there are a lot of people in this country who feel the same way, who know that they are capable of more, and we all just want a chance to prove it. And elections are about choosing leaders who support that, not one who stands in the way.”
Lopez both warned of Trump, and expressed a personal caveat. “I’m a lover. I am not a fighter. I am not here to trash anyone or bring them down. I know what that can feel like, and I wouldn’t do it to my worst enemy, or even when facing the biggest adversary I think America has internally ever had. But over Kamala Harris’ entire career, she has proven to us who she is.”
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