Racist rants unleashed after Puerto Rico sells winning Powerball lottery ticket

A lottery representative hands out free Powerball tickets at Russ’s Market in Lincoln, Neb., as part of a promotion, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $500 million, which would make it the fifth largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

Puerto Rico Powerball Racist Remaks (Shawn Kelly/Twitter)

@KatieDaviscourt boldly wrote, “Kinda mad someone in Puerto Rico won the powerball. THEY ARE NOT A STATE!”

@heyitsalma responded to her tweet with, “so?” and @ KatieDaviscourt tweeted back, “only states should win #sorrynotsorry.”

Some twitter users even threw President Obama’s name in the mix.

@RDolan33 wrote, “Someone from Puerto Rico hit the powerball last night?? Welcome to Obamas America smh.”

@luisvaill responded, “We are citizens since 1917, so Obama has nothing to do with it, you f@!$*ing moron!”

But for every offensive comment, it seems a slew of educated social media followers were quick to provide some facts.

@LadyGrana17 posted a picture with the words “Puerto Rico, U.S Citizens Since 1917. They can win your battles but not your lotto?”

#EducateYourselfBeforeYouSpeak #Powerball #PuertoRico #Racism pic.twitter.com/ZTj3HEhMwV

— Tattiana (@LadyGrana17) February 13, 2015

@JarOfComics feels the same, “people upset someone in Puerto Rico won the powerball, saying they don’t pay taxes. Wonder if they get upset when Puertoricans fight US wars.”

There is a controversy surrounding the tax issue however; residents in Puerto Rico pay very little income taxes, according to Forbes; about 4%.

Although not disclosed just yet, there is speculation that the Puerto Rican Powerball winner will pay little to no tax on the $188 million prize.  The Washington Post reached out to officials at Powerball and Puerto Rico, however no one is disclosing what amount of federal taxes will be paid on the earnings.

The unknown factor is whether the winnings from a ticket sold in Puerto Rico are considered a Puerto Rican source of income. If so, the winnings won’t be subject to U.S. federal income taxes,” reported “CNN Money.” “The IRS needs to weigh in but could not immediately be reached for comment.”

It all comes down to the source of income, says The Post.  If the winnings are deemed from Puerto Rico, there will be no federal income tax taken out.

Even if the winner walks away federal tax-free, Puerto Rico has its own tax system to abide by.  Puerto Rico Lottery secretary Antonio Perez Lopez told “El Nuevo Dia” that the government would end up with about $25 million dollars.

This meme of Salsa singer Marc Anthony has also been circulating the internet.

@ShashaLyz posted it with the following tweet, “Just in case u didn’t know… #puertorican #American #powerball #puertorico #MarcAnthony”

In 2013, Anthony received a lot of racist comments on Twitter for singing “God Bless America” at the MLB All-Star Game. There were tweets saying he was Mexican and other tweets calling the song an “American” song. Anthony was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents. “God Bless America” was written by Irving Berlin, a first-generation Russian immigrant.

SEE ALSO: Remembering the Borinqueneers on Memorial Day

Puerto Ricans on the island are busy celebrating history. This was the first time that a winning Powerball ticket was sold on the island.

Lets end with @EWithrow’s positive words on Twitter:  She tweeted, “Glad someone from Puerto Rico won powerball, that’s pretty cool.”