The statement “these Latinos, they love making babies” made by Tony Hinchcliffe later sparked a lot of backlash from celebrities and politicians. The Trump campaign distanced itself from the comments.The comments sparked significant criticism including among Republican politicians.
“Disgusted” by the remark, Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican representative for parts of Miami who has attended recent events for the Republican presidential candidate, wrote on X.
This rhetoric does not reflect GOP [Republican] values,” she said. “Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect. Educate yourself!”
Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent and was born in New York, reacted to the comments during a live stream with Kamala Harris’s running mate Tim Walz.
“When you have some a-hole calling Puerto Rico ‘floating garbage’, know that that’s what they think about you,” she said.
“It’s what they think about anyone who makes less money than them.”
Mr Hinchcliffe defended himself on X, accused Ms Ocasio-Cortez of having “no sense of humour” and said he loves holidaying in Puerto Rico.
Moments after Mr Hinchcliffe made the comments, rapper Bad Bunny endorsed Ms Harris, sharing a video with the Democratic candidate saying “there’s so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico”.
Luis Fonsi, a Puerto Rican artist who sings the hit Despacito, wrote on Instagram “going down this racist path ain’t it”.
Meanwhile, Ricky Martin, the Livin’ La Vida Loca singer who had previously endorsed Ms Harris, was also offended by the comment and said “that’s what they think of us”, on Instagram.
Danielle Alvarez, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, also said the joke did “not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign”.
The row may boost the Harris campaign as it tries to bolster its support with Latino voters, among whom Trump has been working to gain ground.
The Puerto Rican vote is sizeable in Pennsylvania, which is arguably the hardest-fought of the swing states.
With just over a week before election day, speakers labelled Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” called Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris “the devil,” and likened the former California attorney general vying to become the first woman and Black woman president to a prostitute.
“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,” said Tony Hinchcliffe, a stand-up comic whose set also included lewd and racist comments about Latinos, Jews and Black people, all key constituencies in the election just nine days away.
