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Comic strip under fire after labeling Puerto Rico a ‘floating waste island’ during Donald Trump rally | American news

Vaseline October 28, 2024

A comedian performing at a Donald Trump rally has come under fire after calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of trash.”

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe later said “these Latinos, they love making babies” and added that they don’t use the pull-out birth control method before Mr. Trump took the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday evening.

The comments sparked significant criticism, including among Republican politicians.

As it happened: Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden

Maria Elvira Salazar, who represents parts of Miami for Republicans and has attended recent Trump events, wrote on X that she was “disgusted” by the comment.

She said: “This rhetoric does not reflect the values of the GOP. Puerto Rico sent more than 48,000 soldiers to Vietnam, awarding more than 345 Purple Hearts. This courage deserves respect. Educate yourself!”

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent and was born in New York, responded to the comments during a livestream with Kamala Harris’ running mate Tim Walz.

“If you got some asshole calling Puerto Rico ‘floating trash,’ just know that’s how they feel about you,” she said.

“It’s what they think about everyone who makes less money than them.”

Mr Hinchcliffe defended himself on

Moments after Mr. Hinchcliffe made the comments, rapper Bad Bunny endorsed Ms. Harris and shared a video with the Democratic candidate saying, “There is so much at stake in this election for Puerto Rican voters and for Puerto Rico.”

Read more: Was Trump’s rally an evocation of Nazism?

Luis Fonsi, a Puerto Rican artist who sings the hit Despacito, took to Instagram and wrote “going down this racist path aren’t we.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Martin, who had previously supported Ms Harris, was also offended by the comment, saying “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 could give a boost to the Harris campaign as it tries to shore up support from Latino voters, among whom Trump is trying to gain ground.

The Puerto Rican vote is significant Pennsylvaniawhich may be the most closely fought swing states in the 2024 elections.

Other speakers at the New York meeting also made inflammatory comments about Ms. Harris, with just a week to go until the election.

Trump’s childhood friend David Rem called Ms. Harris “the antichrist” and “the devil.” Businessman Grant Cardone told the crowd that Harris “and her pimp handlers will destroy our country.”

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Among the rally’s other speakers were former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, X owner Elon MuskTV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.