VIRGINIA, USA — The Trump Campaign is facing fallout following the comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during Sunday's rally at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
"There's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. Yeah, I think it's called Puerto Rico," Hinchcliffe said to the packed arena.
Latino politicians and celebrities have denounced the campaign and the comedian, and Puerto Rican voters in Virginia who spoke to WUSA9 say the jokes did not land with their friends and family.
"I was outraged because as a Puerto Rican, we have to be outraged by those comments treating Puerto Rico as a garbage island," said Puerto Rican activist Antonio Camacho. He says the comments made by Hinchcliffe are reflective of the relationship between the United States and the Puerto Rico. "We have to fight for our culture, we have to fight for our identity, and most importantly, we have to fight to end the colonial relationship imposed by the United States. Therefore we have to keep fighting for our independence."
Proud Puerto Rican and devout Trump supporter, Jo-Ann Chase also disapproves of Hinchcliffe's set that included jabs at different groups.
"We condemn the horrible, disrespectful, ignorant statements of one comedian, one speaker among 29," she said. Chase says she does not believe that the comedian's jokes reflect the views of the Republican presidential nominee. "He has to love the people that he represents. Twice in a row, they've tried to murder him. That didn't sway him. He didn't coward."
During the Sunday rally, former President Donald Trump vowed to enforce the largest deportation program in American history. Chase she believes Trump's immigration policies resonate with hard-working Latino families like hers.
Monday morning, Trump Campaign Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed these jokes during an appearance on Fox News.
"Look, it was a comedian who made a joke in poor taste," Leavitt said. "I think it is sad that the media will pick up on one joke that was made by a comedian rather than the truths that were shared by the phenomenal list of speakers that we had."
Camacho, who identifies as an independent voter, says the Trump Campaign has to own the comments made by the comedian who was invited to be part of the lineup.
Hinchcliffe, who is known for his comedy podcast Kill Tony, is owning his performance. He reposted a video of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on X with the caption, "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."
On the same day, the Harris Campaign released a video taking aim at President Donald Trump's response in Puerto Rico following the devastating hurricanes Maria and Irma.
"I will never forget what Donald Trump did and what he did not do when Puerto Rico needed a caring and a competent leader," Harris said in the video. "He abandoned the island, tried to block aid after back-to-back devastating hurricanes, and offered nothing more than paper towels and insults."
Chase doubts Hinchcliffe's comments will have an impact on the around 5.8 million people of Puerto Rican origin living in the U.S. according to 2021 Census numbers.
"We've all benefited from the wonderful things that President Donald Trump has done," she said.
Camacho on the other hand says that what is on the ballot is the future relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. "It's in our hands. Not only Pennsylvania, all the Puerto Ricans in New York, and the Puerto Ricans in Florida," he said.