Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance from Ohio, spoke out on Monday regarding a recent controversy surrounding comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s remark, referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” The joke quickly attracted backlash, with many viewing it as an insensitive and racist comment. Vance responded by saying that the United States has become overly sensitive and expressed frustration at what he saw as an excessive level of offence taken by the public, stating, “We have to stop getting so offended at every little thing in the United States of America. I’m over it.”
While addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Wausau, Wisconsin, Vance explained that he hadn’t heard the joke personally and wouldn’t address its specific content. He added, however, that “maybe it’s a stupid racist joke… maybe it’s not.” The remark from Hinchcliffe—known for his edgy humour on the podcast “Kill Tony”—was made while he performed at Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden on Sunday. His comment prompted immediate responses from both Democrats and Republicans, leading the Trump campaign to distance itself from the comedian’s views.
At the rally, Vance continued by asserting that the American public’s tendency to take offence at humour undermines the restoration of American values. He concluded by saying that people should learn to “have a sense of humour” if they hoped to reclaim these values.
Hinchcliffe’s joke was considered offensive by many due to its underlying assumptions about Puerto Rico, a US territory that has long faced economic struggles, natural disasters, and underfunding. His comparison of Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage” struck many as an insensitive jab at a community that has endured significant hardship, particularly following Hurricane Maria, which left the island devastated and received a delayed response from federal aid under the Trump administration. Critics argue that by belittling Puerto Rico, Hinchcliffe’s remark marginalises an already vulnerable population, suggesting they are unworthy of empathy or respect.
Prominent Puerto Rican lawmakers, such as Representative Ritchie Torres and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, quickly criticised Hinchcliffe on X (formerly known as Twitter), with Torres saying, “I am tempted to call Hinchcliffe racist garbage but doing so would be an insult to garbage,” and Ocasio-Cortez slamming the comedian for using his set to promote divisive rhetoric. A number of Republicans, including Florida’s Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez, and Senator Rick Scott, also spoke against the joke, further highlighting its perceived offensiveness across political lines.
Following the backlash, several high-profile Puerto Rican celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Ricky Martin, publicly voiced their support for Vice President Kamala Harris, sharing posts on Instagram that criticised Hinchcliffe’s comments. Marc Anthony, another well-known Puerto Rican figure, took to X, recalling the difficulties Puerto Ricans faced during the Trump administration’s response to Hurricane Maria, when billions in relief funds were delayed. By drawing attention to these grievances, Anthony and others underscored the painful reality behind why Hinchcliffe’s joke touched such a nerve.