Newsweek, October 2024
A disparaging comment about Puerto Rico was made at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally has incensed residents of the island territory—and experts say it’s not clear how it may impact an upcoming non-binding referendum where Puerto Ricans can vote for statehood or independence. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe joked that Puerto Rico was “a floating island of garbage” during a rally on Sunday that featured crude and racist remarks from several speakers. The comment drew condemnation from both sides of the aisle, including from some of Trump’s top Republican allies. The campaign has distanced itself from the joke about Puerto Rico, but not the other remarks.
Trump refused to apologize at several events and during interviews on Tuesday, calling the rally “an absolute lovefest.” He told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Tuesday night that he doesn’t know Hinchcliffe and “can’t imagine it’s a big deal.” However, he later agreed that he “probably he shouldn’t have been there.” Trump also said that he had “done more for Puerto Rico than any president.”
