Donald Trump may have delivered a blockbuster campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday night, but the evening has been marred by a controversial “joke”.
It was an evening of spectacle for the former POTUS. With election day a little over a week away, Musk pulled out some of big names to appear as speakers.
From running mate JD Vance to billionaire X boss Elon Musk to Hulk Hogan and Tucker Carlson – it was a high profile guest list. Even Melania Trump took to the stage to introduce her husband.
However, one headline-grabbing moment that has emerged from the evening comes from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made an undeniably disgusting joke about Puerto Rico.
Taking to the mic, Hinchcliffe – who is known by his stage name Kill Tony – said: “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now
He then paused before delivering the punch line: “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
Tony Hinchcliffe, who is one of the speakers at Donald Trump’s rally at MSG, felt the need to hurl a racist insult at the people of Puerto Rico: “there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
As a Puerto… pic.twitter.com/WJNQmw0lDt
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) October 27, 2024
The “joke” drew some laughter from the crowd at MSG, but – for the most part – it was clear that it fell flat, with a number of groans also being heard.
“Okay. Alright… okay, we’re getting there,” Hinchliffe uttered after, seemingly aware that the joke had not gone down well.
Immediately, the comment circulated on social media, with a number of Latino celebrities now urging their fans to back Kamala Harris.
Bad Bunny – who is one of the most streamed artists in the world – shared a video to his Instagram page, showing the Vice President saying: “There’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.
“I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and competent leader.”
Ricky Martin took to Instagram, telling his followers: “That’s what they think of us,” before also urging his fans to vote for Harris.
And Republican senator for Florida Rick Scott also slammed the joke, writing on X: “This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true.
“Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I’ve been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on the island.”
This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true. Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I’ve been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on… https://t.co/b00eYWkx85
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) October 27, 2024
Additionally, Representative Jenniffer González-Colón – Puerto Rico’s nonvoting member of Congress and a Republican – labeled the joke “despicable, ill-advised and disgusting”.
And it also appears as if the Trump party wants to distance itself away from the joke.
A statement to ABC News from the Trump campaign’s senior advisor Danielle Alvarez reads: “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
In response Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has asked her Puerto Rican followers to widely share the clip of Hinchcliffe’s joke to their families.
“When you have some a-hole calling Puerto Rico ‘floating garbage,’ know that that’s what they think about you,” she said, during a stream with Gov. Tim Walz.
These people have no sense of humor. Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his “busy schedule” to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a… https://t.co/VFxHRcdv5k
— Tony Hinchcliffe (@TonyHinchcliffe) October 27, 2024
In response, Hinchliffe took to X and defended the joke, directing the following message to AOC and Walz: “These people have no sense of humor.
“Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon.”
To which, AOC has responded, tweeting: “You’re opening for Trump by calling Puerto Rico a floating pile of garbage. 4,000+ Puerto Ricans died under him.
“This isn’t the comedy store. You’re using your set to boost neo-Nazis like MTG & stripping women’s rights to the Stone Age. Your ‘sense of humor’ doesn’t change that.”
