Florida Senator Rick Scott is among the Republicans who have come out to do damage control following widespread backlash against comments made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, host of popular podcast "Kill Tony," which called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."
"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 the island," Scott said on his X account. He was one of many who sought to detach themselves from the line, including the Trump campaign, which said it "does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign."
At Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, podcast host and comedian Kill Tony referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” during his set.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 27, 2024
Notably, four percent of Pennsylvanians are Puerto Rican.
Around 500,000 people. pic.twitter.com/txE3UD0QVE
Florida Rep. María Elvira Salazar also took on Hinchcliffe, saying she was "disgusted" by his "racist comment." "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!" she said on X.
Rep. Carlos Giménez, also from Florida, said the line was "completely classless & in poor taste" and "definitely doesn't reflect my values," while New York Rep. Anthony D'Esposito adding that he is "proud to be Puerto Rican" and the "only thing that's 'garbage' was a bad comedy set." "Stay on message," he added.
However, Hinchcliffe also had some backers, with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna saying that Democrats are "more offended at a comedian making a bad joke about Puerto Rico" than vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's record on immigration as Minnesota governor.
Dems are more offended at a comedian making a bad joke about Puerto Rico than Walz giving tax dollars to a corporation using migrant children to clean slaughter houses or Kamala loosing over 300,000 migrant children.
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) October 27, 2024
Hinchcliffe has stood by his line, answering to a negative reaction by Walz and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). "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."
AOC went on to slam Hinchcliffe, mocking him for the claim. "Can't get over this dude telling someone else to change tampons when he's the one sh-----g bricks in his Depends after realizing opening for a Trump rally and feeding red-meat racism alongside a throng of other bigots to a frothing crowd does, unironically, make you one of them."
Answering to another passage of Hinchcliffe's publication where he says he loves Puerto Rico, the lawmaker said: "You don't 'love Puerto Rico.' You like drinking piña coladas. There's a difference."
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