Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe faced backlash after a joke about Puerto Rico during a Trump rally, where he referred to the island as a “floating island of garbage.” During his Kill Tony podcast, Hinchcliffe addressed the criticism, explaining that his joke highlighted Puerto Rico’s landfill issues and calling out critics for not understanding his humor. He made it clear he had no intention to apologize, stating, “I apologize to absolutely nobody,” and defended his set as satire meant to push boundaries.
He acknowledged that perhaps a Trump rally wasn’t the best setting for such jokes, but reaffirmed his comedic style, saying, “That’s what I do, I go hard and that’s never going to change.” His joke had drawn criticism from public figures, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and members of the Biden administration, while also sparking debates online about comedic freedom versus sensitivity. Despite the controversy, Hinchcliffe defended his intent, mentioning he had vacationed in Puerto Rico and held no ill will toward the island.
The Trump campaign quickly distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments, stating that the joke did not reflect their views. Ironically, despite the backlash, Trump saw improved support from Puerto Rican communities in key Florida counties in the recent election, flipping some areas he previously lost.
