Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s recent remarks about Puerto Rico, made at a rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Hinchcliffe caused outrage by calling the U.S. territory an “island of floating garbage,” which drew sharp criticism from public figures and Puerto Rican celebrities.
In an interview with ABC News’ Rachel Scott, Trump claimed he did not know Hinchcliffe and was unaware of the comedian’s set, stating, “I don’t know him. Someone put him up there. I don’t know who he is.” When asked further, Trump did not specifically denounce the comments but reiterated that he had not heard them.
Following the incident, a Trump campaign spokesperson clarified, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” Hinchcliffe responded to backlash from Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, with a defiant post on social media, defending his comedic style. Meanwhile, prominent Puerto Rican figures, including Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin, have voiced their support for Kamala Harris.
