Politics is usually a game of calculated timing, but sometimes it’s just about raw defiance. On a chilly Tuesday night in late October 2024, Zoraida Buxó, a shadow U.S. Senator for Puerto Rico, walked onto a stage in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The air was thick. Only 48 hours earlier, a comedian at a Madison Square Garden rally had called her home a "floating island of garbage." People expected an apology or maybe a quiet retreat. Instead, they got an endorsement.
Zoraida Buxó didn't just show up; she went all in. She stood there, looking at a crowd in a city where over half the population is Latino—mostly Puerto Rican—and told them that Donald Trump was the leader they needed. It was a moment that felt like a glitch in the matrix for many political analysts. Why would a Puerto Rico senator endorse Trump right after such a public insult to the island?
The Endorsement That Shook Up the 2024 Campaign
When the Puerto Rico senator endorses Trump, it’s rarely just about the person at the top of the ticket. It’s about a very specific vision for the island's future. Buxó, who has served as a shadow senator since 2021, is a staunch Republican and an even stauncher advocate for statehood.
For her, the choice wasn't about a comedian's bad joke. It was about which administration would actually move the needle on Puerto Rico’s status. She told the crowd in Allentown, "We need this man back in the White House." She talked about him as a "commander-in-chief" who would make people feel safe. It was a pivot from identity politics to what she called "emotional manipulation" by the media.
Honestly, it was a gutsy move.
The backlash was instant. While celebrities like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez were flooding Instagram with support for Kamala Harris, Buxó was leaning into the MAGA movement. She basically told Puerto Ricans to look past the "noise" and focus on the economy and the "soul of the country."
Who exactly is Zoraida Buxó?
If you aren't deep into the weeds of island politics, you might wonder what a "shadow senator" even is. Puerto Rico isn't a state (yet). So, they elect people to "shadow" the U.S. Senate, lobbying for statehood and representing the island's interests without having an actual vote on the floor.
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Buxó isn't some political novice.
- She’s a lawyer with a background in corrections and public safety.
- She served as the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the 90s.
- She’s been a consistent voice for the New Progressive Party (PNP), which pushes for the 51st state.
When she stepped onto that stage, she wasn't just representing herself. She was representing a segment of the island that feels the Democratic Party has taken their vote for granted for decades without delivering on the promise of statehood or economic stability.
Why the Puerto Rico Senator Endorses Trump Despite the Backlash
You've gotta look at the "garbage" controversy to understand the weight of this. Tony Hinchcliffe’s joke at Madison Square Garden was a disaster for the Trump campaign’s PR. Even high-ranking island Republicans like Jenniffer González-Colón—who eventually won the governorship—called the remarks "despicable."
But Buxó took a different path.
She framed the endorsement as a matter of strength versus weakness. In her view, the Democratic platform under Harris and Walz wasn't the "option to bring about the kind of change" the island needs. She specifically used the phrase "Dale a Trump la fuerza de tu voto"—Give Trump the force of your vote.
The Economic Reality on the Ground
While the headlines focused on the "island of garbage" comment, many Puerto Rican voters, especially those in Pennsylvania and Florida, were talking about something else: the price of eggs.
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It sounds mundane, but it’s real.
The shift we saw in 2024 wasn't just a fluke. In counties like Osceola in Florida—huge Puerto Rican population—Trump didn't just compete; he won. For these voters, the endorsement from a figure like Buxó validated their feeling that the GOP's focus on inflation and border security mattered more than a comedian’s script.
The Statehood Factor: A Complicated Relationship
The biggest "elephant in the room" is always statehood.
Democrats often talk a big game about Puerto Rico's right to self-determination. But Buxó and her allies argue that nothing ever changes. They see the GOP—specifically the Trump wing—as a "disrupter" that might actually break the status quo.
Is it a gamble? Absolutely.
Trump’s history with the island is... complicated. Everyone remembers the paper towels being thrown after Hurricane Maria. Everyone remembers the public spats with San Juan’s former mayor. But Buxó’s endorsement signaled a belief that Trump’s second term would be different, or at least more beneficial for the "Make Puerto Rico Shine Again" agenda she mentioned on stage.
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Misconceptions About the Latino Vote
One thing this endorsement proved is that the "Latino vote" is not a monolith. You can’t just put everyone in one bucket and assume they’ll vote blue because of a cultural slight.
- Issue-driven over identity-driven: Many Puerto Ricans identify more with conservative religious values or economic liberalism.
- Generational shifts: Younger voters might be influenced by Bad Bunny, but older, established residents often care more about retirement security and crime.
- The "Shadow" Influence: Even without a vote in DC, Buxó’s alignment with Trump gave him a "seal of approval" that resonated with Republican-leaning Hispanics who were looking for a reason to stay with the party after the MSG rally.
What Happened After the Endorsement?
If you look at the 2024 results, the "garbage" joke didn't sink Trump like people thought it would. In fact, he saw some of the highest Latino support for a Republican in decades.
Buxó’s term as shadow senator ended on December 31, 2024, but her impact is still being felt as we move through 2026. The political landscape in Puerto Rico has shifted toward leaders who are willing to play ball with the Trump administration to get federal funding and statehood recognition.
Even now, as news breaks about potential pardons for former island officials like Wanda Vázquez Garced, the bridge between Trump and Puerto Rican leadership seems stronger than it was during his first term.
Actionable Insights for Following Puerto Rican Politics
If you’re trying to keep up with how this endorsement affects the future, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the PNP’s moves in DC: With a pro-Trump governor in Jenniffer González-Colón, expect a more aggressive push for statehood using Republican framing (e.g., "ending the socialist-style dependency of the territory").
- Monitor the Pennsylvania "Bellwether": Keep an eye on the Latino-heavy cities like Reading and Allentown. If the GOP continues to hold ground there, the "Buxó model" of ignoring cultural gaffes in favor of economic messaging will become the standard.
- Follow the Federal Funding: Much of Puerto Rico’s recovery is tied to FEMA and HUD funds. Watch how the second Trump administration handles these disbursements compared to the first.
The moment when a Puerto Rico senator endorses Trump wasn't just a campaign stop. It was a signal that the old rules of political grievance are being rewritten by a new generation of Puerto Rican conservatives who are tired of waiting for a seat at the table.