DONALD TRUMP Jr’s Irish-American girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, has become a target for ridicule after it was highlighted that she did not know Puerto Rico is part of the United States.
Guilfoyle, whose father came from Co Clare, made the gaffe during her impassioned speech at the Republic National Convention while speaking about her mother, who is Puerto Rican.
Speaking in support of US President Donald Trump, Guilfoyle described herself as a “proud Latina” and the daughter of immigrants.
“My mother Mercedes was a special education teacher from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico,” she said.
“My father, also an immigrant, came to this nation in pursuit of the American dream”.
However, apparently unbeknownst to Guilfoyle, Puerto Ricans have been classed as US citizens since 1917, with the Caribbean country considered an unincorporated US territory.
The blunder was highlighted by Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York whose mother and paternal grandparents were also born in Puerto Rico.
“The woman the GOP [Republican Party] picked as their “proud” Latina to tout “immigrant experience” didn’t seem to know that Puerto Rico is already part of the United States,” she said.
“It’s quite on message, bc it reflects their belief that Latinos aren’t real citizens, even when we are Native descendants.”
The woman the GOP picked as their “proud” Latina to tout “immigrant experience” didn’t seem to know that Puerto Rico is already part of the United States.
It’s quite on message, bc it reflects their belief that Latinos aren’t real citizens, even when we are Native descendants. https://t.co/I7iU3yEGT0— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 25, 2020
Guilfoyle’s address was noting for its scathing attacks on presidential nominee Joe Biden, with the Trump campaign fundraiser warning that Democrats “want to destroy this country, and everything that we have fought for and hold dear”.
Some of her family over in Ireland, however, were far from impressed with her efforts.
Guilfoyle spent many summers in Ennis as a child, and her uncle James was approached by The Irish Independent for his opinion on the viral speech.
While James declined to comment, a cousin of Guilfoyle's-- who asked not to be named-- told the outlet it was "all a bit ridiculous".
Apparently breaking down in a fit of laughter, the anonymous relative said "You want to know about Kimberly? What a girl!"
"The brother was just on (the phone to me) about her.
"He said she was roaring and shouting about Trump. He was saying ' Did you hear that lunatic on the telly?'
"She was up to high doh, he said. I haven't seen it, but I'm going to watch it now.
"It's all a bit ridiculous, the whole thing."
