During a rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, serving as an opener for former President Donald Trump, sparked controversy by jokingly referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” The remark led to swift backlash from Democratic representatives and two Florida Republicans, prompting Trump’s campaign to clarify that the joke does not align with Trump’s views.
Key Details
Hinchcliffe, known for his work as a roast comedian and host of the live podcast Kill Tony, remarked to the rally crowd: “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.” The crowd’s reaction appeared mixed, and Hinchcliffe added, “Okay, we’re getting there; normally, I don’t follow the national anthem.”
In response to the ensuing criticism, Trump’s campaign senior advisor Daniella Alvarez stated to Forbes that Hinchcliffe’s comments “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
The joke immediately drew criticism online. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) posted on X (formerly Twitter), “As a Puerto Rican, I am tempted to call Hinchcliffe racist garbage, but doing so would be an insult to garbage.” Additional remarks from Hinchcliffe later in the set, including comments about Latino cultural stereotypes, were condemned by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign as a “vile racist tirade.”
Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, also reacted to Hinchcliffe’s comments, calling him a “jackwad.”
Critics and Responses
On social media, Hinchcliffe dismissed the backlash, claiming, “These people have no sense of humor” and defending his comedy, saying, “I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian.”
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) expressed her disapproval, stating on X that she found the joke “disgusting” and unreflective of GOP values, emphasizing Puerto Rico’s contributions to U.S. military service. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), also seeking re-election, criticized the joke, saying it “bombed for a reason” and calling it “not funny and not true.”
Other Rally Speaker Remarks
Several other speakers at Trump’s rally made inflammatory statements, including radio host Sid Rosenberg’s derogatory language about immigrants and businessperson Grant Cardone’s derogatory metaphor involving Harris. Former Fox host Tucker Carlson also made a controversial comment on Harris’ racial and professional background.
Trump’s Speech Highlights
In his address, Trump discussed familiar topics, including critiques of Harris regarding immigration policies and economic issues, pledging to “end inflation” and “restore the American dream.” He introduced a proposal offering tax credits for those caring for family members and warned about the influence of “the massive, vicious, crooked, radical left machine,” reiterating his stance against what he described as “the enemy from within.”
Background
With the election just days away, Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally represents one of his largest fundraising events. While New York has traditionally leaned Democratic, Trump has expressed hope in possibly securing the state. Meanwhile, Harris continued her campaign in Philadelphia, and her running mate, Tim Walz, held events in Nevada.
Additional Context
Both parties have prioritized Latino voters this election cycle, with polls indicating Trump may gain more Latino support compared to 2016 and 2020, especially among men, younger voters, and those without college degrees. However, an early October poll shows Harris maintaining a lead with Latino voters, holding a 56%-37% margin over Trump.
