GOP senator, reps denounce comments from Trump rally comedian mocking Puerto Rico
Multiple Republican lawmakers have denounced comments from a speaker at former President Trump’s rally in New York on Sunday about Puerto Rico.
At the rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe said “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,” adding that he believes “it’s called Puerto Rico.”
The comments from the comedian resulted in mixed reactions from the crowd.
In response to a report from The Hill on the comments, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said in a post on the social platform X that the “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,” Scott continued in his Sunday post.
According to a statement from Trump campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez, Hinchcliffe’s “joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Puerto Rican voters have a large presence in Florida, as well as other states like Illinois and New York.
In response to a longer clip of Hinchcliffe’s appearance at the rally, Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fla.) said in a post on X on Sunday that “Puerto Rico is the crown jewel of the Caribbean & home to many of the most patriotic Americans I know.”
“@TonyHinchcliffe clearly isn’t funny & definitely doesn’t reflect my values or those of the Republican Party,” Gimenez added.
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), who is facing a tough race to keep his House seat this year, said in a post on X on Sunday that he is “proud to be Puerto Rican.”
“My mom was born and raised in Puerto Rico. It’s a beautiful island with a rich culture and an integral part of the USA,” he added. “The only thing that’s ‘garbage’ was a bad comedy set. Stay on message.”
In response to a clip from a Twitch stream featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Vice President Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), criticizing his comments about Puerto Rico, Hinchcliffe said on X Sunday that it is “[w]ild 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,” Hinchcliffe added in his post. “I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon.”
The Hill has reached out to a representative for Hinchcliffe, the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign for comment.