During a livestreamed conversation on Twitch, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reacted to a comment made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a recent Donald Trump rally in New York. Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a 'floating island of garbage,' sparking criticism from Walz and Ocasio-Cortez.
Walz condemned the derogatory remark by calling Hinchcliffe a 'jackwad' and went on to criticize Trump's response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, stating that it was 'absolutely horrific.' He emphasized that the people of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens who pay taxes and serve in the military at high rates.
Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, expressed her disappointment at the comments, describing them as 'super upsetting.' She highlighted the offensive nature of referring to Puerto Rico in such a derogatory manner.
In response to the backlash, Hinchcliffe defended his comment, stating that it was meant as a joke and criticizing Walz for taking it out of context. He emphasized that he loves Puerto Rico and that his humor is not intended to be offensive.
The conversation between Walz and Ocasio-Cortez also included playing video games and interacting with viewers on the streaming platform. The duo engaged in discussions about the importance of respecting all individuals, regardless of their background or nationality.
