Former President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that he was unfamiliar with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who made a series of controversial, bigoted jokes at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally over the weekend. Among Hinchcliffe’s comments was a reference to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage,” which has since drawn widespread bipartisan condemnation.
Trump’s response comes as his campaign faces increasing scrutiny for the comedian’s remarks. Trump told ABC News’ Rachel Scott, “I don’t know him, someone put him up there. I don’t know who he is,” asserting that he wasn’t aware of Hinchcliffe or his comments prior to the event. Trump also insisted he had not personally heard the comedian’s remarks, adding, “I haven’t seen the comments.”
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The comedian’s remarks have ignited a backlash from Puerto Ricans nationwide, including large communities in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Pennsylvania, in particular, is a key battleground with nearly half a million residents of Puerto Rican descent, making their votes essential to both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as they strategize paths to victory in the upcoming election.
Trump has, in the past, distanced himself from individuals associated with his campaigns when they become sources of political controversy. High-profile figures he has claimed not to know or distance himself from in such instances include Lil Jon, who appeared on Celebrity Apprentice; Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani’s associate involved in the Ukraine controversy; and Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House communications director.
In an effort to mitigate the fallout, Trump campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez released a statement earlier this week, clarifying, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” The campaign’s attempts to distance itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments underscore how sensitive the issue has become, with large Puerto Rican communities already mobilizing in protest.
Trump is expected to visit Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday night, a town with a significant Puerto Rican population. The rally could be a critical moment as he continues his efforts to rally support among Latino voters in Pennsylvania, a state crucial to his campaign’s strategy to secure 270 electoral votes.
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