Former President Donald Trump found himself at the center of yet another controversy following a slip-up during his recent campaign rally in Las Vegas. The 77-year-old politician mistakenly misgendered Latin music star Nicky Jam, referring to the male artist as “she” and calling him “hot,” a comment that quickly became the subject of online ridicule.
The incident occurred on Friday, September 13, as Trump addressed supporters during a rally in Nevada. While recognizing Nicky Jam, who was in the audience wearing a signature "Make America Great Again" hat, Trump repeatedly referred to the Puerto Rican-Dominican singer as a woman. As he spoke, he praised Jam’s presence, only to realize his error once the artist approached the stage.
Despite the quick recovery, social media users were swift to mock the former president for the gaffe. Many pointed out Trump's history of public missteps and seized the opportunity to highlight this latest moment as another example of his frequent verbal blunders. Critics, including political commentators and fans of Nicky Jam, reacted with sharp critiques, with some accusing Trump of cognitive decline and others simply poking fun at the situation.
The viral moment also led to conversations about Trump's relationship with the Latin community, as Nicky Jam endorsed the former president onstage, praising his past presidency and calling for his return to the White House. However, the awkward exchange over the misgendering overshadowed the endorsement, as commentators zeroed in on the mistake, making it the focal point of discussions following the rally.
This is not the first time Trump has drawn criticism for public gaffes. His political opponents have often pointed to moments like these to question his awareness and communication skills. Earlier in the same week, Trump also raised eyebrows with unfounded claims that Vice President Kamala Harris had cheated during a recent debate, suggesting she had received questions ahead of time and wore an earpiece during the event. Those remarks were quickly debunked, adding to the wave of mockery Trump faced over his comments at the rally.
Trump's history of public misstatements has been a constant theme throughout his political career, often sparking similar reactions from critics. In the case of Nicky Jam, the mix-up appeared to be more lighthearted, though it still became fodder for online jokes and political jabs. Users across social media platforms called out the moment, some labeling the misgendering as a sign of confusion, while others used it as an opportunity to question his ongoing fitness for office.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Trump continues to court controversy, whether through policy statements or personal interactions at his rallies. While his base remains supportive, moments like these leave him vulnerable to further scrutiny, both online and in mainstream media.
EconoTimes cannot independently verify any rumors regarding the motivation behind Nicky Jam’s endorsement of Trump or the former president’s future campaign strategies. However, the incident underscores the increasingly volatile nature of political rallies and the immediate impact of social media reactions.
Neither Donald Trump nor Nicky Jam has issued a statement addressing the viral gaffe.