Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for his edgy humor, stirred controversy after calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” during a rally for Donald Trump in New York City. The offensive comment sparked bipartisan backlash, with leaders like Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar and Senator Rick Scott condemning the remark as "racist." Hinchcliffe’s set also included other offensive jokes that leaned on stereotypes, sparking further disapproval. While Hinchcliffe defended his jokes as humor, public figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed back, highlighting the hurtful impact on the Puerto Rican community. The controversy has reignited discussions about the boundaries of comedy, especially when race and culture are involved.
Summary: Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe sparked outrage after referring to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage" during a rally for Donald Trump in New York City. Both Republicans and Democrats condemned his remarks, accusing Hinchcliffe of racism. Hinchcliffe defended his joke, but his comments led to widespread criticism from politicians and public figures.
The Incident
Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump Rally
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Date: Sunday night
- Audience Response: Mixed reactions, including groans and backlash from attendees and viewers online
Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for his podcast Kill Tony, spoke at a rally supporting Donald Trump. During his performance, he referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage," sparking outrage among people from both political parties.
Controversial Jokes
- Made jokes about Puerto Rico as "garbage," which offended the Puerto Rican community and others
- Used stereotypes about various racial groups, including offensive remarks about Latinos and Jewish people
- Made controversial remarks that included antisemitic and racist tropes, which drew disapproval from the audience
Public Reaction
Political Figures Condemn Remarks
- Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican, Florida): Called the joke “racist” and “disgusting,” noting that Puerto Ricans have served in the U.S. military.
- Rick Scott (Republican Senator): Criticized Hinchcliffe’s comments as “not funny and not true,” praising Puerto Ricans as “amazing people.”
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic Congresswoman): Called out Hinchcliffe for “super upsetting” comments, emphasizing her own Puerto Rican heritage.
Tony Hinchcliffe's Response
Hinchcliffe defended his comments on social media, dismissing critics as lacking a sense of humor. He mentioned that he had previously vacationed in Puerto Rico and said he makes fun of all groups equally, urging critics to watch his entire performance before judging.
Quote from Hinchcliffe: “These people have no sense of humor. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there.”
Response from Ocasio-Cortez: Criticized Hinchcliffe's claim of “loving Puerto Rico,” pointing out that his remarks hurt her community.
Additional Controversies at the Rally
Other speakers at the rally made similarly controversial remarks:
- David Rem (Friend of Trump): Called Kamala Harris “the devil” and “the antichrist.”
- Rudy Giuliani (Former Trump Lawyer): Claimed Harris was “on the side of terrorists” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Puerto Rican and Latino Community Response
The remarks from the rally highlighted concerns within the Latino community, particularly Puerto Ricans, who felt targeted by the jokes. Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin responded to Hinchcliffe’s comments, urging people to support Kamala Harris.
Bad Bunny's Endorsement of Harris
- Bad Bunny: Endorsed Kamala Harris for president and criticized Trump's handling of Puerto Rican issues, including the response to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Who is Tony Hinchcliffe?
Tony Hinchcliffe is a comedian from Youngstown, Ohio, now based in Austin, Texas, known for his controversial comedy style. He has a popular podcast, Kill Tony, with over 1.89 million YouTube subscribers. Previously, he faced backlash for using racial slurs in a joke about another comedian, which he defended as humor.
Career Highlights:
- Known for his dark and edgy humor
- Worked for Joe Rogan and on Comedy Central Roasts
- Appeared in a Netflix comedy roast with Tom Brady
