October 28, 2024
NEW YORK CITY — Known for his sharp wit and often controversial roasting style, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe is facing bipartisan criticism after making a joke about Puerto Rico while speaking at Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Hinchcliffe, whose comedic style has often sparked debate, joked, “I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the… ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” The remark was met with immediate backlash, and Trump’s campaign quickly distanced itself from the comment, with Senior Adviser Danielle Alvarez stating, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Hinchcliffe’s comments landed in the lap of Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Puerto Rican-born New York congresswoman. During a Twitch livestream with vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz, Ocasio-Cortez called the joke an act of elitism. “That’s just what they think about you. It’s what they think about anyone who makes less money than them,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding that her family’s Puerto Rican heritage made the joke particularly offensive. Walz, too, took issue, responding to the clip by calling Hinchcliffe a “jackwad.”
Earlier today, in a post on X, a former Twitter user, Hinchcliffe shot back: “These people have no sense of humor… Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist.” Hinchcliffe argued that his remarks were intended as satire, noting that he has vacationed in Puerto Rico and has made fun of “everyone” on stage.
Ocasio-Cortez went on to hit back and accuse Hinchcliffe of “boosting neo-Nazis like Marjorie Taylor Greene” and supporting a movement she feels strips rights away from vulnerable groups. “I’ve been to Kill Tony shows,” she wrote, referring to Hinchcliffe’s stand-up series. “I’m from the Bronx. I don’t give a s— about crude humor. But don’t pretend your support for Trump is a joke. Own it.”
Republicans took exception to Hinchcliffe’s comments, too. Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida, a member of the delegation from a District that is predominantly Puerto Rican, described the joke as “completely classless.” New York Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito added, “I’m proud to be Puerto Rican. My mom was born and raised in Puerto Rico… The only thing that’s ‘garbage’ was a bad comedy set.”
This incident comes as both parties court the Latino vote. At the rally, Trump underscored his campaign’s appeal among diverse voter demographics, saying, “We’re seeing historic levels of support among our Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations.” Longtime friend David Rem spoke in support, promising to reach out to Latino voters in swing states to help secure their support for Trump in the upcoming election.
Sources:
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – Congress.gov
- Tim Walz – Office of the Governor
- Marjorie Taylor Greene – Congress.gov
- Carlos Gimenez – Congress.gov
- Anthony D’Esposito – Congress.gov
- Tony Hinchcliffe on Twitter
