Republican Lawmakers In Florida Rush To Condemn Trump…

Republican Lawmakers In Florida Rush To Condemn Trump Rally Speaker Who Called Puerto Rico 'Island Of Garbage'

Supporters wait for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump to speak at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on October 27, 2024 in New York City. Trump is closing out his weekend of campaigning in New York City with a guest list of speakers that includes his running mate Republican vice presidential nominee, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tesla CEO Elon Musk, UFC CEO Dana White, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), among others, nine days before Election Day. (Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Some Republican lawmakers in Florida quickly attacked jokes a speaker made about Puerto Rico at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally in New York City on Sunday evening.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was given a slot ahead of President Trump at the event.

"I don't know if you 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," Hinchcliffe told the crowd.

"This joke bombed for a reason. It's not funny and it's not true," Sen. Rick Scott said on X. "Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I've been to the island many times. It's a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on the island."

This joke bombed for a reason. It's not funny and it's not true. Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I’ve been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on… https://t.co/b00eYWkx85
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) October 27, 2024

"Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe's racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage.' This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values," Rep. María Elvira Salazar said on X. "Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect. Educate yourself!"

Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage.'

This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values.

Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect.

Educate yourself!
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) October 27, 2024

Democratic lawmakers also condemned Hinchcliffe.

"As a Puerto Rican, I am tempted to call Hinchcliffe racist garbage but doing so would be an insult to garbage," Rep. Richie Torres, a New York Democrat posted on X.

Tony Hinchcliffe, who is one of the speakers at Donald Trump’s rally at MSG, felt the need to hurl a racist insult at the people of Puerto Rico: “there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

As a Puerto… pic.twitter.com/WJNQmw0lDt
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) October 27, 2024

A short time after Hinchcliffe's joke, superstar Puerto Rican recording artist Bad Bunny shared a video on social media of Kamala Harris giving her plans for Puerto Rico and endorsed her.

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