Republican and Democratic leaders, along with Puerto Rican celebrities, have condemned a comedian’s remarks at a prominent Donald Trump event in New York, where he referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” During Sunday night’s rally at Madison Square Garden, comedian and podcast host Tony Hinchcliffe made remarks, including a stereotype that Latinos “love making babies” and avoid “pulling out,” which were widely criticized as racist.
Hinchcliffe went on to say, “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now; I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” The Trump campaign distanced itself from the comments, noting they did not reflect Trump’s views, while Trump himself has not responded directly. Vice President Kamala Harris, prominent Puerto Rican celebrities, Democrats, and some Republican lawmakers voiced strong disapproval of Hinchcliffe’s remarks.
Ed Rosa, a 60-year-old New Yorker with Puerto Rican heritage, announced he would withdraw his support for Trump, calling the comments racist. Rosa said he had been a strong Trump supporter until now but would sit out the upcoming election. The Latino demographic, including Puerto Ricans, is pivotal in swing states like Pennsylvania, where both Trump and Harris are campaigning heavily.
Harris, reacting to Hinchcliffe’s remarks in a video posted on X, affirmed Puerto Rico’s vibrant contributions to the nation. Her message was shared on Instagram by Jennifer Lopez, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, and by rapper Bad Bunny, marking his first public show of support for the Democratic candidate. Ricky Martin also shared a video of Hinchcliffe’s comments, expressing his frustration in Spanish.
Hinchcliffe responded dismissively on X, saying, “These people have no sense of humor,” in reaction to criticism from Democratic figures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tim Walz. During the rally, Hinchcliffe made additional remarks targeting Black Americans and Jews, leaning into offensive stereotypes. Separately, senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller stated, “America is for America and Americans only,” which drew criticism for its exclusionary tone.
Republican U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, a state with many Puerto Rican voters, criticized Hinchcliffe’s remarks, calling them unfunny and untrue. Other Republican representatives with Puerto Rican ties, like Anthony D’Esposito, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Gimenez, also condemned the comments. However, some Trump allies downplayed the significance of the incident, suggesting it would not sway undecided voters.
