A recent Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in New York has sparked significant backlash due to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s offensive joke about Puerto Rico. Hinchcliffe referred to the island as a “floating island of garbage,” drawing immediate condemnation from various political figures and the public.
The comedian’s comments were made during a segment of the rally, and they quickly drew criticism from both Republican and Democratic leaders. A Trump adviser swiftly attempted to separate the former president from Hinchcliffe’s remarks, but the damage had already been done. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic figures voiced their outrage over the remarks, highlighting the ongoing issue of respect and representation for Puerto Ricans.
In his routine, Hinchcliffe stated, “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” This comment received a mixed response, with some politicians, especially from Florida—home to a large Puerto Rican population—quickly denouncing it. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar labeled the comment as “disgusting,” emphasizing that it does not reflect the values of the Republican Party. Meanwhile, Senator Rick Scott described it as “not funny and not true,” praising the strength and resilience of Puerto Rican people.
Hinchcliffe’s performance was not limited to that one remark; he also made other inappropriate jokes, perpetuating stereotypes about Latinos and making derogatory comments about Black individuals. Following the backlash, he defended his material on social media, stating that he has fond memories of vacationing in Puerto Rico and implying that critics simply lack a sense of humor. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded sharply, saying, “You don’t ‘love Puerto Rico.’ You like drinking piña coladas. There’s a difference.”
The rally was filled with more controversial remarks. David Rem referred to Harris as “the devil,” and Rudy Giuliani made baseless accusations against her regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Amidst the uproar over the speakers, Trump announced a new plan for tax credits aimed at caregivers and reiterated his strong stance on mass deportation of illegal immigrants, referring to it as an “invasion.”
Earlier that day, Harris had been promoting her policies to support Puerto Rico, receiving endorsements from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Bad Bunny. The rapper shared videos of Harris discussing her vision for the island, contrasting it with Trump’s handling of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017.
In recent years, many Puerto Ricans have migrated to the mainland U.S., particularly in swing states like Florida and North Carolina. Bad Bunny’s remarks seemed to signal a strategic endorsement of Harris, while singer Ricky Martin encouraged fans to vote for her in light of Hinchcliffe’s controversial comments.
As the election season heats up, approximately 36 million Hispanic voters are eligible to cast their ballots this year. Historically, this demographic has leaned towards the Democratic Party, although recent trends show Republicans making inroads within this group.