Even Trump’s Florida GOP Groupies Were Disgusted by Tony Hinchcliffe's Racist Puerto Rico Joke

On Sunday night, long before former president Donald Trump stepped to the podium to address a crowd of admirers at Madison Square Garden, a comedian opened the event with a joke that set the tone for the rest of the evening.

"There's literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now — I think it's called Puerto Rico?" stand-up comic Tony Hinchcliffe said of the Caribbean island that's home to 3.2 million United States citizens.

Delivered in the heart of Trump's hometown in the waning days of a seemingly endless presidential campaign season by a man who appears to have a long history of making racist jokes, the race-baiting shtick was met with roars of laughter from the packed house.

But it didn't land with everyone.

Take, for instance, Puerto Rican stars Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez, who swiftly took to social media to throw their support behind Trump's opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. ("This is what they think of us. Vote for @kamalaharris," Martin posted on Instagram).

Or the Trump campaign itself.

"This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign," spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement.

Or, closer to home some of Trump's closest MAGA cronies in the Sunshine State.

"Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage.' This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values," Miami Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 

Disgusted by @TonyHinchcliffe’s racist comment calling Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage.'

This rhetoric does not reflect GOP values.

Puerto Rico sent 48,000+ soldiers to Vietnam, with over 345 Purple Hearts awarded. This bravery deserves respect.

Educate yourself!

— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) October 27, 2024

"This joke bombed for a reason. It's not funny and it's not true," incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who is defending his seat against Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the November 5 general election, wrote on X. "Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans!"

This joke bombed for a reason. It's not funny and it's not true. Puerto Ricans are amazing people and amazing Americans! I’ve been to the island many times. It’s a beautiful place. Everyone should visit! I will always do whatever I can to help any Puerto Rican in Florida or on… https://t.co/b00eYWkx85

— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) October 27, 2024

"This is not a joke. It’s completely classless & in poor taste," U.S. Rep. (and former Miami-Dade County mayor) Carlos A. Giménez wrote on X. "Puerto Rico is the crown jewel of the Caribbean and home to many of the most patriotic Americans I know. @TonyHinchcliffe clearly isn’t funny and definitely doesn’t reflect my values or those of the Republican Party."

🚨This is not a joke. It’s completely classless & in poor taste.

Puerto Rico is the crown jewel of the Caribbean & home to many of the most patriotic Americans I know.@TonyHinchcliffe clearly isn’t funny & definitely doesn’t reflect my values or those of the Republican Party. https://t.co/GcFq4gJsBZ

— Carlos A. Gimenez (@CarlosGimenezFL) October 28, 2024

Florida pols who have yet to weigh in include the usually vocal Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

Miami (of course) was represented at the MSG podium on Sunday evening, in the person of financial influencer and prominent Scientologist Grant Cardone, who delivered a speech in which he called billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban a "simp" for Harris and said "[Harris] and her pimp handlers will destroy our country."

"This election needs to be more than a victory, it needs to be a landslide," Cardone told the crowd. "We need to slaughter this [sic] other people."