A comedian performing at a Donald Trump rally in New York City faced backlash after making derogatory comments about Puerto Rico, referring to it as a “floating island of garbage.” Tony Hinchcliffe, who took the stage at Madison Square Garden, made the remarks during his routine, alongside other controversial jokes, including references to racial stereotypes.
The comments quickly drew condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans and Democrats alike denounced Hinchcliffe’s remarks, with many highlighting the offense to Puerto Ricans and their contributions to the U.S.
U.S. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Florida, expressed her outrage on social media, stating that the comment did not reflect the values of the GOP. Senator Rick Scott, also a Republican, criticized the joke as offensive, emphasizing the valuable role of Puerto Ricans in American society.
The incident comes at a critical time in the election season, with Trump and his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, vying for key voter demographics. The Harris campaign condemned the rally’s tone, describing it as divisive.
Adding to the tension, one of the world’s leading Latin stars, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, endorsed Harris for president shortly after the incident. His endorsement was seen as a direct response to the inflammatory remarks, further highlighting the role of Latino voters in the upcoming election.
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Hinchcliffe’s remarks also prompted responses from other Puerto Rican celebrities, including Ricky Martin, who called on voters to reject such rhetoric and support Harris.
As the campaign heats up, the fallout from this incident underscores the heightened sensitivity around race and immigration in this election cycle.
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