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

A comedian performing at a Donald Trump rally referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating trash island," leading to strong backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was one of the many stars who attended the event at Madison Square Garden in New York. He also delivered several jokes that relied on racial stereotypes.

An adviser to Trump separated the Republican Party from the joke made about Puerto Rico, which was also criticized by Trump's Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris. Additionally, Harris was the subject of remarks from another speaker at a Trump event that also stirred up some controversy.

The excitement erupted when one of the biggest Latin stars, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, showed his support for Harris in the presidential race.

In his humor, Mr. Hinchcliffe, known as Kill Tony, commented: "There's a lot happening out there. You might not be aware, but there's actually a massive island of trash drifting in the ocean at this very moment. I believe it's referred to as Puerto Rico."

In Florida, a state with a significant Puerto Rican community, two Republicans spoke out against the joke, aligning themselves with Democrats.

In a post on X, US Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar expressed her strong disapproval of a "racist remark." She emphasized that such comments do not represent the values of the GOP, the Republican Party, and highlighted the many Puerto Ricans who have served in the military.

In a post on X, US Senator Rick Scott expressed that the joke didn't land because it wasn't humorous or accurate. He went on to praise Puerto Ricans as incredible individuals and valuable Americans.

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that belongs to the United States. While the people living there cannot cast votes in US presidential elections, a significant number of Puerto Ricans live in the mainland US and have the right to vote.

Mr. Hinchcliffe also implied that Latinos have a strong inclination towards having large families, and he made an inappropriate remark linking black individuals to watermelons, referencing a harmful stereotype.

The other speakers of the evening stirred up some controversy with their statements. David Rem, a longtime friend of Trump, referred to Harris as "the devil" and "the antichrist."

Rudy Giuliani, who used to be Trump's attorney, incorrectly stated that the Democratic candidate was "supporting the terrorists" in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

While the main attention was directed towards 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 received acknowledgment," he stated.

He further emphasized his intention to carry out a large-scale deportation of undocumented immigrants, expressing his desire to "save" areas that he believes have been "overrun and taken over" by "merciless and violent criminals."

The Harris campaign described the remarks made at the rally as "divisive and disrespectful."

On Sunday, Harris introduced new initiatives designed to assist the people of Puerto Rico, receiving support from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, whose parents are Puerto Rican, as well as Bad Bunny. Many other well-known figures have also endorsed her efforts.

Bad Bunny shared several videos featuring Harris discussing the island, her plans to assist its residents, and her criticisms of Trump's response to Hurricane Maria, which tragically claimed almost 3,000 lives in 2017.

Over the past seven years, many Puerto Ricans have left the island to relocate to the mainland United States, particularly in states like Florida, as well as key battlegrounds such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Currently, Puerto Ricans are said to be the second largest Latino group in these regions.

Bad Bunny’s remarks seemed to be intentional, as he did not respond to Mr. Hinchcliffe's comments. However, his fellow Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin did speak up, telling his fans, "This is how they view us," and encouraging them to support Harris in the election.

Approximately 36 million Hispanic voters are eligible to cast their ballots this year, as reported by the Pew Research Center. Historically, they have been an essential part of the Democratic coalition, but the Republicans have been making gains in attracting their support.

Mr. Hinchcliffe was just one of many speakers at Trump's rally, which featured tech mogul Elon Musk and former wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, who dramatically ripped off his T-shirt during his speech. Trump's wife, Melania, was also present, although she has participated in limited campaign events up to this point.

Mike Shapiro, a vibrant Trump supporter who came to New York from New Jersey, mentioned that he got there at 12:50 AM local time (4:50 AM GMT) on Sunday to claim his place at the rally.

"I often hear individuals labeling him as a fascist and a racist over and over again," Shapiro stated. "However, I observe a great deal of diversity. I see people from all different backgrounds. During my time here, I've encountered many Black, Latino, and Asian individuals. There seems to be a shift happening."

People who traveled to the event in New York expressed that they were less concerned about the words being spoken and more focused on the actual policies and how these would affect their lives.

“He's holding events in places where many people wouldn’t expect to see him, and I believe that more individuals—especially those who weren’t fond of him—are starting to recognize that Donald Trump was an effective president,” remarked Mike Boatman, who mentioned that this was his 18th Trump rally.

"They’ve experienced four years under Trump followed by four years with Biden, and since Kamala is essentially a continuation of Biden, people can draw comparisons. They can clearly see when things were better for them."

Madison Square Garden, located in the center of the city, is one of the most renowned arenas globally. With a seating capacity of around 20,000, it varies depending on the type of event taking place. This iconic venue serves as the home for both the NBA's New York Knicks and the NHL's New York Rangers.

It's also located in Trump's hometown. However, some people saw it as an odd decision for the final week of his campaign. New York is a firmly Democratic state and won't play a crucial role in the presidential race.

However, the rally could bring in a significant amount of campaign funds. The Trump campaign offered tickets for an "Ultra Maga Experience" at the location, each priced at nearly $1 million (£770,000). Additionally, the event might benefit Republican candidates in a number of closely contested US House races in the region.

During the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans achieved significant victories in several crucial swing districts in New York, which likely contributed to their gaining 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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