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Duck and Weave: Trump’s Allentown Rally Ends Without Him Really Addressing the Puerto Rico Controversy

After a speaker at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally made offensive remarks about Puerto Rico on Sunday, Trump had every opportunity Tuesday to address the comments. He wouldn’t do it. At least not directly.

Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Alex Brandon/AP

Donald Trump finally talked about Puerto Rico on Tuesday night. He just didn’t mention why — or the offensive remarks about the U.S. territory that have distracted his campaign in the closing days.

Trump’s visit to Allentown, Pennsylvania — a majority Latino city in the crucial swing state — was scheduled long before Tony Hinchcliffe’s racist opening speech Sunday night at Madison Square Garden and the ensuing controversy. But the visit was an opportunity to address the situation and put the issue to bed.

At least, there was that opportunity.