At a rally for former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made a series of inflammatory and derogatory remarks, including calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Hinchcliffe, known for a history of racist jokes, also trafficked in stereotypes about Black and Latino Americans during his set, which opened the event.
The backlash was swift, with Puerto Rican celebrities, performers, and political leaders denouncing the comments. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, called the event a “hate rally.” Even some of Trump’s Republican allies, like Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, criticized Hinchcliffe’s joke about Puerto Rico.
Trump Campaign Issues Rare Defensive Statement
In an unusual move, the Trump campaign released a statement on Sunday night distancing itself from Hinchcliffe’s most egregious comments. “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” said senior campaign adviser Danielle Alvarez.
The Trump ethos has generally been to never apologize or admit error. Alvarez’s statement was a rare break from that practice, reflecting concern that the offensive rhetoric could turn off undecided voters in the final days of a tight race.
However, the campaign’s disavowal was limited to the Puerto Rico remark. It did not address Hinchcliffe’s other inflammatory comments or the disparaging tone adopted by many other speakers at the rally.
Potential Impact in Battleground States
While the long-term electoral consequences remain to be seen, the controversy has particular resonance in states like Pennsylvania, which is home to nearly half a million Puerto Rican Americans. In a close race, alienating any constituency could prove decisive.
Local Puerto Rican leaders and activists in Pennsylvania expressed outrage at Hinchcliffe’s comments. Some are planning protests outside Trump’s rally in Allentown on Tuesday. The Allentown school district even canceled classes, citing safety concerns around the rally.
Pennsylvania Democrats argue the incident will remind Puerto Rican voters of Trump’s history of denigrating the island, such as when he called it “one of the most corrupt places on earth” and tossed paper towels to hurricane survivors. In 2020, Democrats ran Spanish-language ads attacking Trump’s response to Hurricane Maria, which killed over 3,000 people.
However, Trump still made gains with Hispanic voters in some areas like Philadelphia in the 2020 election. And Trump’s allies insist the controversy will not significantly impact Latino support for the former president.
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Past Controversies and Unapologetic Style
This is not the first time Trump or his surrogates have faced criticism for offensive remarks. The former president has a long history of using nativist and divisive rhetoric on the campaign trail.
Many of his rallies feature crude slogans, explicit music, and demeaning nicknames for opponents, for example the MSG rally by Trump on October 27, 2024. Trump himself increasingly uses profanity in his speeches.
Controversies that might sink other candidates have often failed to dent Trump’s base of support. His brand is built around a provocative, unfiltered style. As one Trump adviser said, “Our country was built by frontiersmen who conquered the wilderness…We’re not going to restore the greatness of American civilization if we get offended at every little thing.”
Looking Ahead
With just one week until Election Day, it remains to be seen whether the fallout from the Madison Square Garden rally will have a meaningful impact on the race. Trump’s team is projecting confidence, but behind the scenes, some advisers are reportedly worried that the recurring accusations of racism against the former president may be breaking through.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent, has seized on the rally controversy to argue that Trump is a divisive and unacceptable choice. “Donald Trump fans the fuel of hate and division,” she said on Monday. “That’s why people are exhausted with him.”
In the home stretch of an extremely tight race, both campaigns are fighting for every last vote, especially in key battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida. Even small shifts among particular constituencies could determine the outcome.
As the final week unfolds, Americans will have to decide whether the latest inflammatory rhetoric from Trump’s orbit is a deal-breaker or just more of the same from a norm-shattering former president. In an age of extreme polarization, the ultimate impact may be in the eye of the beholder.
