Backlash Against Trump After Comedian’s Puerto Rico Remark Threatens Support in Key Swing States

Former President Donald Trump faces mounting backlash after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, performing at a recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, referred to Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage.” The derogatory remark sparked outrage, particularly among Puerto Rican voters in battleground states, prompting senior Democratic strategist James Carville to warn that this misstep could significantly harm Trump’s standing with Latino voters in critical areas like Pennsylvania.

 As reported by The Hill, Speaking with MSNBC’s Aei Melber on The Beat, Carville was blunt about the potential impact. “Trump is a giant loser. The sooner people acknowledge that and know that it’s true, they stop fearing him. The stuff last night was so over-the-top, it’s unbelievable,” he remarked. Carville emphasized that comments like these could alienate a substantial portion of the electorate, especially as Election Day approaches.

“This is gonna cost him votes. This is a community that is not going to take well to this. I promise you,” he said. The reaction among Puerto Rican voters was swift and fierce, particularly in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state where Puerto Rican voters play a pivotal role. Many expressed frustration and anger, with Politico reporting that the rally left numerous members of the community feeling deeply disrespected.

Amid the fallout, a nonpartisan Puerto Rican organization released a letter urging voters to reject Trump at the polls, and conversations among Puerto Rican voters surged across platforms like WhatsApp, with many circulating calls to action. Responding to the backlash, Hinchcliffe attempted to downplay the controversy on social media, claiming his remarks were taken out of context.

“These people have no sense of humor,” he wrote, insisting that he “loves Puerto Rico” and frequently vacations there. He urged critics to watch his entire set, framing his remarks as part of his comedic style. “I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set,” he posted. His response, however, only seemed to add fuel to the fire as figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez publicly condemned his remarks.

The fallout continued to escalate, with reports indicating that Puerto Rican voters were organizing protests at upcoming Trump rallies, including one planned in Allentown, Pennsylvania—a city with a significant Latino population. Norberto Dominguez, a precinct captain in Pennsylvania, described the reaction as spreading like “wildfire” throughout the community. “It’s not the smartest thing to insult a significant group of voters in a crucial swing state, and then show up at their doorstep asking for votes,” he commented.

The controversy also prompted several Republican figures to publicly distance themselves from Hinchcliffe’s remarks, attempting to preserve Trump’s Latino support in critical states. Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign, quickly clarified that the comedian’s views did not reflect those of the former president or his campaign team. “The joke doesn’t represent the views of either the former president or his team,” she stated.

With the race tightening and every vote critical, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania, the rally’s fallout serves as a pointed reminder of Trump’s past remarks about Puerto Rico—such as when he referred to the island as “dirty.” The backlash over Hinchcliffe’s comment highlights the stakes for both campaigns as they vie for key voting blocs, with Trump’s campaign working to manage the controversy and mitigate potential damage just days before the election.