What did Tony Hinchcliffe say about Puerto Rico? Comedian sparks uproar over remarks at Trump rally

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe recently created a stir online over his remark about Puerto Rico during Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on October 27. A short clip of the speech that has since gone viral on social media, captured Tony saying as he addressed the crowd:

"It is absolutely wild times. It really, really is. And, you know there’s a lot going on like, 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. Yeah, I think it’s called Puerto Rico."

Tony Hinchcliffe's comments were soon met with criticism and backlash online.

"Someone should tell him that Puerto Rico actually produces less garbage than the average Trump rally speech", wrote one X user.

"Puerto Rico is an American territory. Insulting your own people isn't a flex", said another.

"I see the MAGA movement is continuing its proud tradition of checks notes openly disparaging American citizens", commented one person.

"This clown is a comedian but no one laughs at his jokes", criticized another.

"MAGAs in the comments crying and saying "it’s just a joke, bro!" Racism is always funny and a joke to racists. America deserves better", wrote one.

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AOC and Tim Walz react to Tony Hinchcliffe's comment about Puerto Rico, the comedian responds

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aka AOC and Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz reacted to Tony Hinchcliffe's speech during a Twitch livestream soon after. AOC called Tony's remarks "super disappointing".

Addressing Donald Trump and the Republican party's approach towards Puerto Rico, Tim Walz asked AOC if she remembered Hurricane Maria that befell the northeastern Caribbean in mid-September, 2017, and continued till early October of the same year. Walz said:

"Does anybody remember how he responded to Maria, Puerto Rico? It was absolutely horrific! Down there, insulting people, throwing it."

Tim Walz continued:

"People in Puerto Rico are citizens. They pay taxes and serve in the military at almost a higher rate than anybody else."

AOC chimed in to say she is from Puerto Rico, accusing the Republican party of using Puerto Rico as a "testing ground" to unleash the horrors of their experiments on the working-class people.

She referred to Tony Hinchcliffe as an "a-hole" over his "floating garbage" remark, and addressed Puerto Rican people:

"That's just what they think about you. It's what they think about anyone who makes less money than them. It's what they think about the people who serve them food in a restaurant. It's what they think about the people who fold their clothes in a store."

AOC said at one point during her conversation with Walz:

"What is trash is, people actually just thinking of other human beings that way. And the thing that gets me, is that these people rely, their entire lives rely on working-class people."

Tony Hinchcliffe responded to Tim Walz and AOC's commentary on X:

"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 comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon."

Elsewhere during his speech on Sunday, Tony Hinchcliffe said:

"I welcome migrants to the United States of America with open arms. And by open arms, I mean like this."

Tony made a hand-waving gesture of negation, and chuckled in a low voice, "go back!" He continued:

"It's wild. And these Latinos, they love making babies too, just know that."

The 40-year-old Ohio-born standup comedian made another joke, comparing a man impregnating a woman without backing out with Latin American people coming to the United States.