Former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart has defended comedian Tony Hinchcliffe following widespread criticism of his performance at Donald Trump’s October 27, 2024 rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Hinchcliffe drew significant backlash after making controversial remarks about Puerto Rico, referring to it as a “floating island of garbage” during his set at the political event. The comedian also made comments suggesting Latinos “loved making babies” and included jokes about Jewish people and Black Americans in his performance.
“There’s something wrong with me. I find that guy very funny,” Stewart shared.
Stewart acknowledged that politically, having a roast comedian perform just a week before election day might have been a mistake, especially given the risk of alienating key voters. However, he explained that Hinchcliffe was merely delivering his usual routine, suggesting the campaign’s choice to include a roast comedian in such a setting may not have been the wisest.
Sources informed NBC News that Hinchcliffe had tested the controversial material the night before at a local comedy club in New York City, where the jokes received a negative reaction. Despite this, the material was read from a teleprompter in his rally performance.
At the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards on Tuesday night, actress Aubrey Plaza, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, addressed the offensive remarks about the island, where much of her family is from. Reflecting on her grandmother, Plaza remarked that if her beloved “abuelita” were still alive, she would likely say, “Tony Hinchcliffe, go (expletive) yourself.” Plaza also added that The Wall Street Journal could quote her on that.
“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin expressed her pride and love for Puerto Rico, where her family originates, and responded strongly to the suggestion that Puerto Rico is “trash.” She emphasized that Puerto Ricans are Americans and pointedly directed her remarks at Donald Trump, asserting that Puerto Ricans know how to remove the trash that has accumulated since 2016, referring to him. She reminded her fellow Puerto Ricans that the opportunity for “trash collection” is on November 5, 2024, encouraging them not to forget.
The Trump campaign moved quickly to distance itself from the controversy. When questioned about Hinchcliffe’s remarks, former President Trump claimed he did not know the comedian and stated that “someone had put him up there.” Trump insisted he had not seen Hinchcliffe’s comments despite the growing controversy.
The incident has gained particular significance due to its potential political implications in key swing states. Puerto Ricans represent a crucial voting bloc in states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Arizona, where the election remains closely contested between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump is scheduled to campaign in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a town with a large Puerto Rican population.