Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez has responded to Tony Hinchcliffe doubling down following criticism of his comments about Puerto Rico during a Trump rally on Sunday.
Speaking at Madison Square Garden, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” The remark drew strong criticism from Democrats, including Ocasio Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent. She was livestreaming with vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz when the comments were made, and a clip of the pair reacting negatively to it was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by Kamala Harris‘ campaign.
Tony Hinchcliffe responded to the campaign’s post, writing, “These people have no sense of humor. Wild that a vice presidential candidate would take time out of his ‘busy schedule’ to analyze a joke taken out of context to make it seem racist. I love Puerto Rico and vacation there. I made fun of everyone…watch the whole set. I’m a comedian Tim…might be time to change your tampon.”
Walz’ has frequently been referred to as “Tampon Tim” by Republicans, in reference to him signing a bill into law that required menstrual products to be provided for free in Minnesota school bathrooms.
Right: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaking during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago Aug. 19, 2024. Left: Tony Hinchcliffe opening for Trump Madison Square Garden rally, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. AOC has come after Hinchliffe for his comments on Puerto Rico.
Right: Francis Chung, Left: Evan Vucci/Associated Press
Ocasio Cortez continued the back-and-forth, responding to Hinchcliffe saying: “Can’t get over this dude telling someone else to change tampons when he’s the one sh***ing bricks in his Depends after realizing opening for a Trump rally and feeding red-meat racism alongside a throng of other bigots to a frothing crowd does, unironically, make you one of them.”
Can’t get over this dude telling someone else to change tampons when he’s the one shitting bricks in his Depends after realizing opening for a Trump rally and feeding red-meat racism alongside a throng of other bigots to a frothing crowd does, unironically, make you one of them. https://t.co/kr82avveYs
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 28, 2024
Hinchcliffe has been contacted for comment outside of work hours.
In an email to Newsweek, Trump senior advisor Danielle Alvarez said of Hinchcliffe’s comments at the rally: “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
During the livestream, Walz referred to Hinchcliffe as a “jackwad” and Ocasio Cortez called him an “a-hole” and referred to his comments as “super disappointing” and “upsetting,” adding, “My family is from Puerto Rico, I’m Puerto Rican.
Hinchcliffe is an American comedian and host of the live podcast “Kill Tony.” As well as political figures, his comments sparked backlash from celebrities such as Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez, both of Puerto Rican descent, who endorsed Kamala Harris via their social media accounts after his remarks.
Tony Hinchcliffe arriving to speak at a Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. Hinchliffe has defended his joke about Puerto Rico, saying that he loves the island, and that his detractors do not have a sense of humor.
Evan Vucci/Associated Press
During his set at the Trump rally, Hinchcliffe also said: “Where are my proud Latinos at tonight?…You guys see what I mean? It’s wide open; there’s so many of them.”
On the day of the rally, Hinchcliffe gained tens of thousands of new followers across Instagram and X.
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