Republicans and Democrats criticize comedian who called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage" at NYC Trump rally

Prominent Republicans and Democrats have criticized Tony Hinchcliffe, the comedian who participated in presidential candidate Donald Trump's New York rally on Sunday and referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

“Disgusted by Tony Hinchcliffe's racist comment,” wrote Republican legislator María Elvira Salazar on her X account. “This rhetoric does not reflect the values ​​of the Republican Party.”

“Puerto Rico sent more than 48,000 soldiers to Vietnam and received more than 345 Purple Hearts. This bravery deserves respect,” she said.

Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage.'

This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values.

Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect.

Educate yourself!

— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) October 27, 2024

Republican Sen. Rick Scott also took a moment to defend the people of Puerto Rico and denounced Hinchcliffe's offensive jokes.

“This joke backfired 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 what I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on the island,” Scott said.

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

Likewise, Miami-Dade based Rep. Carlos Gimenez described Hinchcliffe's joke as “poor quality and in bad taste.”

The South Florida based congressman wrote, “Puerto Rico is the crown jewel of the Caribbean and home to many of the most patriotic Americans I know.”

🚨This is not a joke. It’s completely classless & in poor taste.

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. https://t.co/GcFq4gJsBZ

— Carlos A. Gimenez (@CarlosGimenezFL) October 28, 2024

Not only did Hinchcliffe make derogatory comments about Puerto Rico, he also told a joke regarding one of his Black “friends” about how they “carved watermelons” together.

Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, responded to the comedian's comments on Sunday afternoon during a livestream with Puerto Rican Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“Who is that guy?” asked Walz, after seeing a clip of Hinchcliffe's joke on the broadcast. “The people of Puerto Rico are citizens. “They pay taxes and serves in the military at an almost higher rate than anyone else,” he added.

Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Hinchcliffe's comment, saying, “When you have some a-hole calling Puerto Rico ‘floating garbage,’ know that that's what they think about you. It's what they think about anyone who makes less money than them … I want every Puerto Rican in Philadelphia and Reading and across the country to see this clip.”

She then became more emotional and added that, “I need people to understand that when some idiot says that Puerto Rico is floating garbage, you should know that that is what he thinks of you. It’s what they think of anyone who makes less money than them. It’s what they think about people who serve them food in a restaurant. It’s what they think about the people who fold their clothes in a store. Dude, are you serious?”

She then added, “What is trash is people actually thinking of other human beings that way. And the thing that really gets me is that these people rely, their entire lives rely on working class people.”

Harris' presidential campaign team seized the moment and quickly cut and posted the video on of opportunities.

She also unveiled her plan for Puerto Rico at a rally on Sunday in Pennsylvania, including the creation of a working group on the opportunity economy.

“Today I released my plan to help build a brighter future for Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people as president,” she wrote on X. “Meanwhile, at Donald Trump’s rally, they’re calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage.”

Today I released my plan to help build a brighter future for Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people as president.

Meanwhile, at Donald Trump’s rally, they’re calling Puerto Rico “a floating island of garbage.” https://t.co/KthAJ8JmU9

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 28, 2024

After coming under fire, Hinchcliffe posted a message on X.

“These people have no sense of humor,” he complained on the social media platform. “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.”

Hinchcliffe ended his message by clarifying: “I love Puerto Rico and I go on vacation there. I made fun of everyone ... watch the whole show. “I’m a comedian, Tim … maybe it’s time to change your tampon.”

For his part, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro commented on Hinchcliffe’s slang remarks during an appearance on WILK Newsradio Monday morning, saying there are nearly half a million Puerto Ricans living in the Keystone State.

“I’m damn proud to be their governor. I think they make Pennsylvania a better, stronger, richer place – and they are our fellow Americans,” said Shapiro.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, the Puerto Rican population was the largest Hispanic group in Pennsylvania. The Pew Research Center says the Keystone State has the fourth-highest Puerto Rican population in the nation, making up about 8% of the state’s population.