Tony Hinchcliffe: Backlash after Trump rally speaker calls Puerto Rico 'island of garbage'

Watch: Speaker at Trump rally refers to Puerto Rico as 'a drifting garbage island.'

A comedian at a Donald Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of trash," provoking angry responses from both Republican and Democratic members.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was one of the notable figures present at the event held at Madison Square Garden in New York. During the occasion, he delivered several jokes that relied on racial stereotypes.

A Trump advisor separated the Republican Party from the Puerto Rico joke, which was criticized by Trump's Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Harris was also the focus of controversy when another speaker at a Trump event made remarks about her.

The excitement arose when one of the leading Latin stars, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, expressed his support for Harris in her presidential campaign.

In his humorous quip, Mr. Hinchcliffe, also known as Kill Tony, remarked, "There's a lot happening out there. I'm not sure if you're aware, but there's actually a massive island of trash just floating in the ocean at this very moment. I believe it's referred to as Puerto Rico."

In Florida, where there is a large Puerto Rican community, two Republican officials joined Democrats in criticizing the joke.

In a post on X, US Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar expressed her shock and disapproval of what she called a "racist remark." She emphasized that this statement does not align with the values of the Republican Party and pointed out the many Puerto Ricans who have proudly served in the military.

In a post on X, US Senator Rick Scott expressed: "The joke fell flat for a reason. It lacks humor and isn't based in reality." He also mentioned that "Puerto Ricans are incredible individuals and fantastic Americans."

Puerto Rico is an island territory of the United States located in the Caribbean. While the people living there cannot participate in US presidential elections, a significant number of Puerto Ricans live in the mainland United States and are able to vote.

Mr. Hinchcliffe also mentioned that Latinos have a strong fondness for having children, and he made an inappropriate remark about black people and watermelons, which relies on a long-standing racist stereotype.

The other speakers of the night sparked some debate with their comments. David Rem, who grew up with Trump, referred to Harris as "the devil" and "the antichrist."

Trump's ex-lawyer Rudy Giuliani inaccurately asserted that the Democratic candidate was "supporting the terrorists" in the context of the ongoing Gaza conflict.

While much attention was directed toward the remarks made by his guest speakers, Trump took the opportunity to reveal a proposal for tax credits aimed at individuals who provide care for a parent or loved one. “It’s about time they receive acknowledgment,” he stated.

He emphasized his intentions for a large-scale removal of undocumented migrants, expressing his desire to "save" areas that he believes have been "invaded and overtaken" by "violent and ruthless criminals."

The Harris campaign described the rally's language as "divisive and insulting."

Earlier on Sunday, Harris announced initiatives designed to assist the people of Puerto Rico, gaining endorsements from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, and Bad Bunny. Many other well-known figures have also shown their support for her efforts.

Bad Bunny shared several videos featuring Harris discussing the island, her plans to assist the local community, and her criticisms of Trump's response to Hurricane Maria. This devastating storm resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths in 2017.

Over the past seven years, many people have left the island of Puerto Rico, relocating to the mainland United States, particularly to Florida and key states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. As a result, Puerto Ricans have become the second largest Latino group in these areas.

Bad Bunny's remarks seemed to be strategic, and he chose not to respond to Mr. Hinchcliffe's comments. However, his fellow Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin took a different approach, expressing to his followers that "this is their view of us" and encouraging them to support Harris in the election.

Approximately 36 million Hispanic voters are eligible to participate in this year's elections, based on data from the Pew Research Center. Traditionally, they have been an important part of the Democratic base, but the Republicans have been gradually gaining some of that support.

Ex-WWE superstar Hulk Hogan tore off his T-shirt during his appearance at the rally.

Mr. Hinchcliffe was among many speakers at Trump's rally, which featured notable figures like tech mogul Elon Musk and former wrestling champion Hulk Hogan, who dramatically tore off his T-shirt during his speech. Trump was also accompanied by his wife Melania, who hasn't participated in many campaign events up to this point.

Mike Shapiro, an enthusiast of Trump adorned in vibrant attire and hailing from New Jersey, stated that he reached New York at 12:50 AM local time (4:50 AM GMT) on Sunday to ensure he had a good position at the rally.

“I often hear people labeling him as a fascist and a racist," Shapiro stated. "However, what I see is a broad range of diversity. I encounter people from all different backgrounds. In fact, I've met many Black, Latino, and Asian individuals here. The situation is evolving.”

People who traveled to the event in New York mentioned that they were less concerned about the political talk and more focused on the actual policies and how they would affect their daily lives.

"He's holding events in places that many wouldn't anticipate, and I believe more individuals—some who previously disapproved of him—are starting to recognize that Donald Trump was an effective president," stated Mike Boatman, attending his 18th Trump rally.

"They have experienced four years under Trump and another four under Biden, with Kamala being just a continuation of Biden's policies. They can see the differences and realize when their situation was more favorable."

What does MAGA represent for you?

Located in the center of the city, Madison Square Garden is an iconic venue recognized around the globe. It can accommodate roughly 20,000 spectators, varying with the type of event. This arena serves as the home ground for the NBA's New York Knicks and the NHL's New York Rangers.

It's also located in Trump's birthplace. However, some people found it to be an interesting decision for his final week of campaigning. New York is a strong Democratic state and will not play a critical role in determining the outcome of the presidential election.

However, the rally might lead to a significant boost in campaign funds. The Trump campaign offered tickets for an "Ultra Maga Experience" at the event, with prices approaching $1 million (£770,000) each. Additionally, the rally could be beneficial for Republican candidates running in various closely contested House races in the region.

During the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans achieved significant victories in several important swing districts in New York, which likely contributed to their ability to gain control of the House of Representatives.

North America reporter Anthony Zurcher breaks down the competition for the presidency in his weekly newsletter, US Election Unspun.

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