Tony Hinchcliffe Refuses to Apologize for Controversial Puerto Rico Joke at Trump Rally

Despite widespread backlash and accusations of racism, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe stands by his controversial remarks, insisting his joke was misunderstood and offering no apologies for his actions.

Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe has sparked controversy after refusing to apologize for a remark made during a recent rally for President-elect Donald Trump. At the October 2024 event at Madison Square Garden, Hinchcliffe joked that Puerto Rico was a “floating island of garbage”—a comment that has since drawn widespread condemnation.

On the latest episode of his podcast, Kill Tony, Hinchcliffe stood by his words, declaring, “I apologize to absolutely nobody,” much to the approval of his live audience. His statement came the day after his performance, when the backlash was already building. While critics, including politicians and public figures, labeled the joke as racist, Hinchcliffe defended himself, claiming it was intended to reference Puerto Rico’s “landfill problem.”

“I’m the only person that knew about this, unfortunately,” he added, suggesting the comment was misunderstood by those who criticized him. Hinchcliffe’s remarks were not limited to Puerto Rico; his set at the rally also included a joke about Halloween with a Black friend and a remark about NFL player Travis Kelce, which many considered offensive.

In response to the backlash, Hinchcliffe acknowledged that the rally may not have been the ideal place for his humor, but reaffirmed his commitment to his style of comedy. Despite the criticism, including from public figures like Aubrey Plaza, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hinchcliffe maintained that as a comedian, he pokes fun at everyone and refuses to be censored.

As the fallout continues, the Trump campaign distanced itself from Hinchcliffe’s comments, with senior advisor Danielle Alvarez stating that the joke “does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.” However, Hinchcliffe’s refusal to back down and his ongoing defense of his actions suggest he plans to weather this storm in his own unapologetic way.