Trump rally comment about Puerto Ricans could have impact on the election in Pa.

In a rare act of bipartisan agreement, Republicans and Democrats alike have condemned a joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during a rally for former President Donald Trump on Sunday.

“I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

Hinchcliffe spoke at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He is known for his “Kill Tony” podcast and his work on the “Comedy Central Roast” series.

He made other disparaging jokes about Latinos and immigrants during his remarks.

Reactions to the comment were immediate and overwhelming. The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, condemned the rhetoric from speakers at Trump’s rally and drew a contrast with the plan she announced Sunday to “help build a brighter future for Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican people.”

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

Several celebrities — including Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny and pop stars Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin — made social media posts firing back at the comment and endorsing Harris.

Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., reacted to Hinchcliffe’s comment in a video Sunday afternoon. Walz called Hinchcliffe a “jackwad” and said, “People in Puerto Rico are citizens. They pay taxes. They serve in the military at almost a higher rate than anybody else.”

Said Ocasio-Cortez: “It’s super upsetting to me. My family is from Puerto Rico, I’m Puerto Rican.”

“Know that that’s what they think about you,” she added.

Hinchcliffe responded to Walz and Ocasio-Cortez on X, saying, “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.”

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

Trump’s campaign put out a statement Sunday through adviser Danielle Alvarez distancing the candidate from the remarks.

“This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” she said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Several Republicans also condemned the joke, including Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida. His response read in part, “This joke bombed for a reason. It’s not funny and it’s not true. Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans!”

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

Axios reported in July that “Puerto Ricans have more political sway in U.S. than ever before.” Here in Pennsylvania — likely to be the most pivotal swing state in the 2024 presidential election — Gov. Josh Shapiro said nearly half a million Puerto Ricans make the Keystone State their home.

“I’m damn proud to be their governor. I think they make Pennsylvania a better, stronger, richer place — and they are our fellow Americans,” Shapiro said in an interview with WILK Newsradio on Monday morning.

Monica Ruiz is the executive director of Casa San José, a Pittsburgh nonprofit community center for the area’s Latino population. She is of Puerto Rican descent and found Sunday’s comments disgusting and frustrating.

“It’s extremely divisive language, and a lot of people are defending this as a joke. It wasn’t a joke. It wasn’t a joke because it was extremely offensive to me as a proud Puerto Rican,” she said.

“As someone who leads an organization whose focus is on celebrating our community and ensuring our kids grow up feeling proud of who they are and where they came from, this comment was cruel and couldn’t be anywhere near the truth of the island of Puerto Rico and the people of Puerto Rico,” said Rosamaria Cristello, founder and executive director of Pittsburgh’s Latino Community Center. She said she discussed the situation with Puerto Rican community members.

Ruiz said Pittsburgh has a small but close-knit Puerto Rican population.

“We tend to know each other and see each other all the time. I’m hoping that the population does start to grow,” she said.

As far as the impact on Election Day next week, it seems likely that Sunday’s comment may not move Trump voters to abandon him, but it may move the needle on turnout.

Political strategist Sam Chen said, “In states like Pennsylvania where there are a good amount of Puerto Rican voters — and in a state that’s as tight between the two candidates as it is right now — that little bit of movement in the margins could have an impact.”

Ruiz said the recent celebrity political endorsements could also have an effect in that arena.

“I think it’s important. For folks who said ‘I’m just not going to vote in this election,’ this might help one way or another.”

Chen also believes that the comment was important because it comes so close to Election Day: “If he had said this in, say, April — not that the comments are good or right — it would have less of an impact because our memories aren’t that great in politics.”

Cristello said there is concern that comments like this will have an impact on the level of hate and violence experienced by the Latino community.

“Comments like these give permission to individuals of all ages to bully members of our community and put them down. Unfortunately, our community is used to this rhetoric, which is why we, as an organization, make every effort to reinforce the beauty of our community, the strength of our people, and the truth of who we are.”

Ruiz emphasized how crucial it is that Americans remember that Puerto Ricans are their fellow citizens and learn more about the history and politics of the island.

“And then also recognizing that, if you’re Puerto Rican and live on the island of Puerto Rico, you cannot vote for president,” she added.