Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Monday responded to the controversial insult joke about Puerto Rico made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.
“Puerto Rico isn’t garbage, it’s home to fellow American citizens who have made tremendous contributions to our country,” Rubio began a post on X.
“I understand why some people were offended by a comedians [sic] jokes last night. But those weren’t Trump’s words,” the Cuban American senator continued. “They were jokes by an insult comic who offends virtually everyone, all the time….. because that is what insult comedians do.”
Sen. Marco Rubio took umbrage at jokes about Puerto Ricans by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. REUTERSHinchcliffe, 40, sparked outrage Sunday after making a crude joke about the US territory ahead of Trump’s highly anticipated MSG remarks.
“There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” the “Kill Tony” podcast show host said. “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
The joke was rebuked by several Democrats, including vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, and some Republicans as well.
Tony Hinchcliffe speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. APRubio, however, argued that Harris’ record as vice president should be of more concern to the media than Hinchcliffe’s attempt at humor.
“What isn’t a joke is how Kamala Harris destroyed our economy and allowed dangerous criminals to illegally enter our country and terrorize, rape and murder Americans,” the 53-year-old senator said.
“And what isn’t a joke and truly outrageous is how ‘journalists’ are helping Kamala Harris’s [sic] with her dangerous campaign of hate by calling Trump the new Hitler and how MSNBC used old footage of Nazi rallies TO SMEAR TRUMP SUPPORTERS AS NAZIS!” Rubio added, referring to those comparing Trump’s event with an infamous 1939 Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden.
Hinchcliffe reportedly workshopped his Puerto Rico joke at a New York City comedy club the night before Trump’s rally, according to NBC News.
The comedian has refused to apologize for the barb.
“These people have no sense of humor,” Hinchcliffe wrote on X Sunday, adding that he loves Puerto Rico and vacations there.
“I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set,” he added.
