At a New York rally for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s off-color remarks about Puerto Ricans and Latinos stirred bipartisan condemnation. Speaking before Trump took the stage, Hinchcliffe, a comedian and podcast host, made derogatory statements, calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage” and referencing a stereotype that Latino families have more children, saying Latinos “love making babies” and “don’t pull out.” The inflammatory statements, laden with racial stereotypes, quickly drew strong rebukes from both Democratic and Republican leaders, as well as Puerto Rican celebrities, who called the comments offensive and deeply insulting.
The Trump campaign moved swiftly to distance itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments, emphasizing that they do not represent Trump’s views. Trump himself has not addressed Hinchcliffe’s performance directly, though his rallies have included similarly provocative rhetoric. Campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the incident, saying, “It was a comedian who made a joke in poor taste.” Still, the backlash has underscored long-standing tensions around Trump’s language regarding race and ethnicity, which critics argue promotes division rather than unity.
Trump Supporters Withdraw Support Following Hinchcliffe’s Remarks
For some Puerto Rican Trump supporters, the remarks were a breaking point. Ed Rosa, a New Yorker whose family hails from Puerto Rico, had long been a Trump supporter. But following the rally, he removed Trump campaign signs from his yard. “I really believe it was racist,” Rosa said, explaining that he no longer plans to vote in the upcoming election. The sentiment was echoed by others in key states like Pennsylvania, where Latinos, particularly Puerto Ricans, represent a critical demographic in swing areas.
Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Trump is scheduled to hold another rally soon, has a sizable Puerto Rican population. Matt Tuerk, the city’s Democratic mayor, reacted with “disgust” and warned that the rally could shift Latino voters toward the Democrats. “This was a wake-up call for people who might have thought that things would not be that bad under Trump,” Tuerk said.
Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigning for re-election alongside President Joe Biden, seized the moment to directly condemn Hinchcliffe’s comments. Harris praised Puerto Ricans as “some of the most talented, innovative, and ambitious people in our nation” in a video statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). Harris’ message quickly gained traction, shared by high-profile Puerto Rican entertainers like Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin, who expressed disappointment over Hinchcliffe’s remarks.
Celebrities Rally Against Hinchcliffe’s Comments, Sparking Broader Dialogue on Latino Representation
The backlash gained momentum as Puerto Rican icons voiced their disapproval. Jennifer Lopez, known for her Puerto Rican heritage, shared Harris’ video, while Grammy-winning musician Bad Bunny also posted his support for the Democratic campaign, marking a rare political gesture from the globally popular artist. Ricky Martin went further, posting a video of Hinchcliffe’s comments with a caption in Spanish: “This is what they think of us.”
The remarks not only drew criticism from Puerto Rican figures but also spurred wider Latino communities to address the persistence of stereotypes about their culture. As polls show a rising percentage of Latino voters identifying with the Republican Party, some strategists worry that events like Sunday’s rally could disrupt efforts to win over Latino voters.
Racist Stereotypes Extended Beyond Latinos, Sparking Further Criticism
Hinchcliffe’s routine did not solely target Puerto Ricans. He went on to use other racist tropes, including references to Black Americans and Jewish stereotypes. At one point, Hinchcliffe joked about carving watermelons with a Black audience member and implied that Jewish people are “cheap,” saying they have “a hard time throwing that paper.”
These additional comments were widely condemned by public figures and lawmakers, who criticized the rally for platforming such divisive rhetoric. Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz both called out Hinchcliffe, with Ocasio-Cortez emphasizing that jokes rooted in racial stereotypes normalize prejudice and harm communities.
Despite the outrage, Hinchcliffe remained unapologetic, dismissing his critics as humorless. “These people have no sense of humor,” he responded on X, reacting to the criticism from Ocasio-Cortez and Walz.
Republicans Respond: Divided Reactions as Campaign Stance Becomes More Aggressive
Within the Republican Party, reactions to the incident were mixed. U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, home to a large Puerto Rican community, was among those who denounced Hinchcliffe’s comments. “It’s not funny and it’s not true,” Scott wrote on X, aligning with Republican Representatives Anthony D’Esposito, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Gimenez, who each condemned the remarks. D’Esposito, who represents a competitive district on Long Island and has Puerto Rican ancestry, added his voice to the criticism, stating that such comments “don’t reflect the values” of the Republican Party.
However, some Republicans were less concerned about the political impact. David Tamasi, a Republican fundraiser, speculated that the incident was unlikely to sway undecided voters. “An undecided voter is very unlikely to be swayed by a remark, impolitic as it was, made on a Sunday night by an unknown comic,” he said, downplaying the significance of Hinchcliffe’s performance in the larger context of the election.
Trump’s Rhetoric Faces Scrutiny Amid Campaign’s “Enemy from Within” Narrative
The controversy comes amid broader criticisms of Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which has focused on confronting an alleged “enemy from within” that he claims is set on weakening the nation. Critics argue that Trump’s choice of language promotes a divisive narrative that targets minority groups, fueling fear and resentment among his base. Harris, among others, has pointed out that this rhetoric could pose a risk to democracy by fostering suspicion and anger toward entire communities.
Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller also sparked reactions by stating, “America is for America and Americans only,” a comment many have criticized as excluding immigrants and minority groups. Democrats pointed to the line as reflective of an increasingly nationalistic tone in the Trump campaign, arguing it alienates immigrant communities that contribute to American society.
Puerto Rican Voters and Latino Support Remain Crucial in 2024 Election
Puerto Rican and Latino voters, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania, remain critical in the 2024 presidential race. Recent elections have shown an uptick in Latino support for Republicans, though Democrats still hold an advantage. Both parties are vying for this demographic, understanding that it could be decisive in closely contested states.
With just over a week remaining before Election Day on November 5, both Trump and Harris have scheduled multiple stops in Latino-heavy areas. Democrats hope to capitalize on the outrage spurred by Hinchcliffe’s comments, while Trump’s campaign is counting on the popularity of his tough rhetoric among his base. As Trump heads to Allentown, Pennsylvania, the repercussions of Sunday’s rally could become a defining issue for some voters.
The stakes in the final days of the campaign are high, as both candidates try to consolidate support. With new controversies emerging, the race is shaping up to be one of the most charged and contentious in recent history, as both sides navigate an electorate increasingly sensitive to issues of identity, race, and national unity.
