Following a controversial joke about Puerto Rico at a recent rally, the Trump campaign distanced itself from comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's remarks, calling them unreflective of campaign views. The incident has stirred debate on comedy's place in politics, the differing standards comedians face based on identity, and where the boundaries of humor lie in highly charged political settings.

Written By Liz Imanuel // EEW Magazine Online

At a Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe drew mixed reactions after calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.”

This statement, along with other racially insensitive jokes geared toward the Latin, Jewish and Black communities, sparked audible gasps and boos from the audience, underscoring discomfort among certain attendees. Responding to criticism, a Trump campaign spokesperson clarified that Hinchcliffe’s remarks “do not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

Hinchcliffe later defended his performance, writing on the social media platform X that his words were “taken out of context.”

On Tuesday, Trump told ABC News' Rachel Scott: "I don't know him, someone put him up there. I don't know who he is." The Republican nominee also said that he did not hear any of Hinchcliffe's comments.

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The incident has reignited conversations about the boundaries of humor in political settings and the influence of a comedian’s identity on public perception. Comparisons were drawn to Mexican-American comedian George Lopez’s joke at a recent Harris-Walz rally in Phoenix, where he quipped, “Donald Trump said he was going to build a wall, and [I said] ‘You better build it in one day because if you leave that material out there overnight…’” implying a stereotype about Mexicans being known thieves.

Lopez’s remarks were met with laughter and faced less backlash, possibly due to his cultural background and self-referential style.

Former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who also spoke at Trump’s rally, noted that the audience’s negative response to Hinchcliffe’s joke “says a lot about the crowd.” In an interview with CNN, Ramaswamy called for a consistent standard when evaluating comedy, arguing that jokes should not be assessed differently based on the comedian’s identity or the event’s political affiliation.

His comments reflect a broader debate over potential double standards in how jokes are perceived, depending on who delivers them and to whom they are directed.

The potential ramifications of Hinchcliffe’s joke on Trump’s campaign is still unknown. Critics argue that such comments may hinder outreach efforts to Latino voters, particularly given past controversies surrounding Puerto Rico. However, others suggest that Trump’s core supporters are unlikely to be swayed by isolated incidents, remaining more focused on the campaign’s overall messaging and policy positions.

The swift distancing by Trump’s team indicates an awareness of these sensitivities, as campaigns increasingly navigate the fine line between entertaining crowds and maintaining respectful discourse.

Hinchcliffe, raised in Youngstown, Ohio, is a stand-up comedian who specializes in the roast style, in which comedians take the podium to needle a celebrity victim with personal and often tasteless jokes. He has written and appeared on eight Comedy Central Roasts, including ones for American entertainer Snoop Dogg and football legend, Tom Brady.